Softball Splits With Miami in Home Opener

Thursday, March 19

WSU Softball Field

2:00 PM

Wright State University

8-10

Miami (Game 1)

13-11

Miami

Wright State

3/19/2009 12:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: WSU Athletic Media Relations

The Wright State softball team opened the home portion of its schedule with a split against Miami Thursday afternoon, the RedHawks taking the opener 6-1 before the Raiders bounced back with a 9-4 decision in the nightcap.

Miami picked up a run in the first inning of game one on a wild pitch, added another in the third on a throwing error and made it 3-0 in the sixth on a RBI single from Alexis Javier. WSU answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the sixth as Kristen Bradshaw doubled to the gap in right center and came in on a hit up the middle by Justine Shilt.

The RedHawks, however, broke the game open in the seventh with three more unearned runs.

Sharon Palma (3-4) struck out nine in six innings for the Raiders while Briauna Birl led the way offensively with three hits.

The Wright State offense would come alive in the nightcap, though, as after Birl doubled along the left field line and Louie Haney reached on a fielder's choice, Shilt drove the first pitch she saw over the fence in right center for a three-run home run, her second of the season.

The Raiders picked up an unearned run in the second and extended the lead to 5-0 an inning later as Shilt's double to center plated Bradshaw. WSU tacked on three more in the fourth on a RBI single by Jamie Perkins, a Bradshaw walk with the bases loaded and Shilt reaching on an error, again with the bases loaded.

Miami broke through with three runs in the fifth, but Wright State answered with one in the bottom of the frame as China Frost singled to right center with two outs and scored on a Perkins double to left center.

Ashleigh Jackson (5-3) earned the win, pitching the first six innings while, on offense, Shilt had three hits to go with four RBI and Perkins and Birl each added two hits.

Wright State (9-10) starts Horizon League play this weekend in a big way, hosting preseason favorite Cleveland State in a three-game series that starts Saturday with a 1:00 doubleheader.