MIAMI SOFTBALL

RedHawks score 19 runs in DH sweep

Chevrier picks up pair of 'W's as MU gains share of first place

Mia Estrello celebrates a double during Miami's comeback Game One win over kent State. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
​OXFORD, OH -- Miami senior pitcher Lea Chevrier picked up two wins Saturday, tossing a 10-2 complete game nightcap after finishing a 9-8 extra innings first game  The RedHawks' double header sweep of Kent State (14-16, 4-8 MAC) topped off MU's first conference sweep of 2026. 

"It was just a good team sweep this weekend," Miami head coach Mandy Gardner-Colegate said. "The offense showed up, and our pitchers did enough to win. Our defense made some great plays."

The results were especially encouraging after Miami (24-8) dropped two of three last weekend at Akron. The Zips, Toledo and Miami are tied atop the MAC standings through Saturday. All are now 6-3 in league play. 

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After Friday's narrow 8-7 RedHawks win, MU was locked up in another tight contest with KSU early Saturday afternoon. Both teams tallied three first inning runs. Kent State then added one in the third and three more in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead.

As it had in . . . 

Presley Hosick gave MU five innings as she works her way back into the pitching rotation. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . the first, however, Miami matched the Flashes' three-spot with three runs to trail 7-6 after four innings. 

Miami starter Presley Hosick, who gave up 11 hits and seven runs in her second appearance since returning to action, finished her day with a scoreless fifth.

"(She) didn't pitch for over three weeks," Gardner-Colegate said, adding Hosick had some good "bullpen" sessions recently and kept MU in Saturday's first game. 

MU's offense struck for two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kari Krueger got it started with a leadoff walk. Ella Carter moved her up with a single. Both runners adcanced on a ground out. Catcher McKenna Campbell then picked up two rbi's with a single to right. 

Chevrier relieved Hosick to start the sixth inning and nearly got out of a jam with no runs scoring. However, with two on and two out, a pop-up behind shortstop dropped in, allowing one to score. That tied the contest at 8-8. 

"She just lost it in the sun," Gardner-Colegate  said of Danitza Hernandez' attempt to field the fly. 

It was the last run either team would score until the ninth. Finally, after three unproductive innings despite getting the leadoff batter on base, Miami struck for a decisive run. Kari Krueger led off with a walk and moved up on Bailey Manus' bunt. Erin Pinter, celebrating her birthday in style, followed with a game-winning rbi single to center. 

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GAME OVER!!! Kari Krueger crawls back to home plate to make sure she touched it for Game One's final run. (MVSmith/MR)

Kent State out-hit the hosts 15-8 overall, but the Flashes left 11 runners on base. Miami stranded  eight. 

Chevrier allowed one run (unearned) in her four innings to get the win. She struck out four and walked just one while throwing 62 pitches. 

"This year, I am throwing more strikes and I have less walks," Chevrier said. "That's what I've been focusing on, making the other team earn (their way on)."

Meadow Fern, the last of three KSU pitchers, took the loss. ​

Campbell (3), Estrello (2), Mathis (2), Pinter (2) and Krueger (2) had muliti-hit games for Miami. Ashlyn Porter and Ciara Camacho stroked two hits each for the Flashes. 

Lea Chevrierstrides into a pitch during Game Two action Saturday. The senior has focused on cutting down walks and making opponents "earn" their way on. (MVSmith/MRO)

GAME TWO

Kent State held a very brief lead in Game Two, grabbing a 1-0 lead on second inning doubles by Ashley Porter and Clara Camacho. 

Miami responded with a six-run rally in the bottom half. Leila Mathis' triple to left got MU rolling. After a walk, Kreuger doubled to center to plate one run. Pinter's single to second scored another, and Mia Estrello brought in two more with a single. 

Meadow Ferry replaced Flashes starter Alena Hillyard, but MU worked two walks to load the bases. When Campbell singled up the middle, two more runs came across to give Miami a 6-1 lead. Estrello's rbi single one inning later gave the hosts a six-run edge. 

Kent State tallied its final run of the day on a fifth inning rbi double by Brynn Libler. However, MiU matched the score with Katy Olive's sacrifice fly to right field. ​

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Now up 8-2, Miami finished off the Flashes with a two-run sixth. Campbell, who went 4-for-6 with five rbi's on the day, opened with a double. After advancing to third, she scored on Patton's sacrifice fly to right. 

Campbell (3), Estrello (2), Mathis (2), Pinter (2) and Krueger (2) had muliti-hit games for Miami. Ashlyn Porter and Ciara Camacho stroked two hits each for the Flashes. 

Chevrier went all six innings for Miami, allowing two runs on seven hits. She struck out three and did not walk a batter. 

"I think last year she had some confidence issues and didn't (fully) trust in her stuff at times<" Gardner-Colegate said. "Her (velocity) is up a little bit and her changeup is also a factor this year. She's getting ahead of hitters and not falling behind so much."

Starter Alena Hillard got the loss for KSU, surrendering five runs on six hits in one inning of work. 

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Erin Pinter sprints down the line, beating out a throw to first base in Game Two. Pinter had two hits, a walk and drove in two runs in the RedHawks 10-2 win. (MVSmith/MRO)

NEXT: Miami hosts Kentucky Tuesday (5 p.m.). The RedHawks then travel to Buffalo for a three-game series befinning Friday (3 p.m.)

BONUS -- SLIDE SHOW
​All Photos by Mike Smith