Toledo pitchers wait out the rain in the bullpen during the Miami Invitational.
President David Hodge was accompanied by former Miami University President Phillip Shriver and a few Miami softball alumni to throw out first pitches Friday afternoon in the university's brand new $4.5 million softball stadium, where the RedHawks faced the Purdue University Boilermakers at the inaugural game.
Athletic Director Brad Bates also welcomed eager softball fans at the dedication ceremony, extending thanks for all of the supporters responsible for the development of the new facility, which features an indoor batting cage and other amenities.
The RedHawks (8-19-1) played to a 3-3 tie with the Boilermakers (14-20-1) Friday afternoon and had their night game against the Toledo Rockets called on the account of rain. Mother Nature's ugly plan forced a pair of rain delays and ultimately caused the game to be called during the bottom of the eighth inning, ending play early and causing the tie.
"I was most impressed with Alicia Hogl today," Head Coach Kelly Schoenly said. "She did a great job at the start of the lineup. It's hard because she had to set the tone for the whole game."
Hogl scored the first run in the new stadium and of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Hogl began the action with a line drive double to left field, stealing third before scoring off of senior Leslie Macedo's two-out RBI single.
A Purdue error in the bottom of the fourth inning led Miami to its second run of the game. First-year Sara Billstrom wasted no time getting started, notching a lead-off single. After advancing to second base courtesy of a sacrifice bunt, Billstrom stole third and touched home as Purdue's first baseman scrambled for a loose ball.
"Purdue has a lot of confidence, but just like any team we had to find out where there weakness was," said first-year pitcher Shalise Lugo.
The first rain delay was called during the bottom of the fifth inning, giving Lugo a chance to cool off her arm, but it also bought time for the Boilermakers to warm up their bats.
After the hour-long delay, Purdue found a way to tally some runs, breaking through with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Miami's 2-0 cushion vanished as Purdue sophomore Katie Mitchell connected with the ball, notching her sixth homerun of the season. The RedHawks' lead disappeared when Purdue's Erika Peterson knocked out another Purdue home run, bringing the Boilermaker's to a tie with Miami. However, the battle didn't end there, as a pair of RedHawk fielding errors late in the top of the seventh inning allowed the Boilermakers to score one last run, giving them their first lead of the game, 3-2.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
"It was hard coming back from the delay and having to get warmed up again," Lugo said. "They got a hold of the ball, and this stuff happens, but we just have to be prepared when it does."
The RedHawks started the bottom of the seventh inning strong, determined to steal their game back from the Boilermakers. Hogl came out with full force, responding with a home run of her own, sending the game into extra innings.
"The game went back and forth so much between the teams, and it's hard when there was so much emotion flowing," Schoenly said.
Purdue continued its fight into the eighth inning scoring two runs, which gave them a 5-3 lead over the Red and White. The 'Hawks quickly responded in the bottom of the eighth inning when a RBI by junior Natalie Savona sent teammate Breanna Robinson across home plate. Miami was about to tie up the score, trailing by just one run with one out and a runner on third when heavy rains began to sweep through the area causing the game to be called.
The teams had to revert back to the score at the last completed inning, which was 3-3 in the seventh.
"I am satisfied that we played well against Purdue," Schoenly said. "They're a Big Ten opponent, but we showed them the tough competition of the MAC, and I think we gave them a good run."
Miami was unable to notch a win during its own tournament over the weekend. After tying with Purdue Friday, the RedHawks lost their next four games. Two losses to Youngstown State, a loss to Toledo and one more loss to Michigan State, made it a tough weekend overall for the 'Hawks.
The Red and White return to action at 3 p.m. at home Tuesday against Eastern Kentucky.
Read More
How one professor and her classes are preserving Oxford’s Black history
By Sean Scott | March 20, 2024Jazma Sutton, an assistant professor of history, teaches The Black Midwest (HST 350Q) and Black Women in America (HST 450D) classes. In both courses, she has students working with the Smith Library of Regional History and Miami’s archives to document and preserve Black history in Oxford.
Miami faculty members recount Freedom Summer in new documentary
By Luke Macy | February 25, 2022After seven years of work, “Training for Freedom,” a documentary highlighting Oxford’s involvement in the Freedom Summer of 1964, premiered on PBS Western Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
“Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic”: History in the making
By Alice Momany | August 29, 2021In March 2020, Miami University’s archives launched “Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a collection focused on life during the COVID-19 pandemic.