MIAMI SOFTBALL

RedHawks MAC Tourney run cut short 

By MIKE SMITH
AKRON, OH  -- Two big innings -- one in each game -- proved decisive as Miami fell to Western Michigan and Central Michigan in back-to-back MAC Softball Tournament contests Wednesday at Firestone Stadium. With the losses, MU failed to make it to Day Two of a tournament it won in each of the past four seasons. 

First, No. 6 seed Western Michigan (27-24) used a five-run fifth to get past No. 3 seed Miami 7-4. After a short break, Central Michigan (25-23) tallied four seventh inning runs for a 7-3 win against MU. 

The RedHawk opponents . . . 

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. . . combined for 17 hits against Miami pitching, but also parlayed that with a total of 15 walks. A pair of costly errors added to Game Two issues.

The losses dropped Miami to 38-18 on the season. 

GAME ONE -- WESTERN MICHIGAN 7, MIAMI 4
•  Both teams put leadoff hitters on base and both scored one run in the first inning.
Katy Olive's sacrifice fly to right brought in Katy Olive for Miami.
•  WMU and MU again matched each other with single runs in the third. The Broncos got their tally on Caitlin Tighe's leadoff homer to right center. Miami's Mia Estrello matched that with a leadoff homer on MU's turn. 
•  It was a 2-2 game in the fifth when Western Michigan batted around against three RedHawk pitchers, ultimately scoring five runs on three hits and five walks against the combination of Presley Hosley and Angelina Ricciardi. By the time Lea Chevier -- Miami's Game Two starter -- took over in the circle, WMU led 7-2. 
Chevier retired the only batter she faced in the fifth and tossed two more innings of shutout ball. However, the damage was done. 
•  MU mounted a late rally in the seventh, scoring two runs on a Leila Mathis round-tripper. After a Bailey Manos single, WMU replaced starter Ava Geyer with Casey Fazzini, who got two quick outs to seal the Broncos win. 
•  In addition to 10 hits and eight walks, two WMU batters were hit by pitches. It made for a busy day on the base paths. In addition to the seven runs scored, Western Michigan left 13 runners on base. Miami stranded five runners.
•  Hosick (19-6) threw 102 pitches in 4.1 innings. 
•  The RedHawks recorded eight hits and drew a pair of walks. Manos (2) was the only MU player with multiple hits. Mathis went 1-for-2 with two RBIs. She also had one of two walks by Miami hitters. 
•  Chevrier used 34 pitches in 2.1 innings of Game One work. She would later throw 121 pitches over 7.0 innings against CMU in Game Two. 

GAME TWO -- CENTRAL MICHIGAN 7, MIAMI 3
•  Miami got its only lead of the day when Evey Dieudonne hit a two-run homer to left  with two outs in the first inning. 
•  MU remained in front until Central Michigan struck for two of its own in the fourth. A walk and single got the rally started. After a ground out and sacrifice bunt, Cierra Laska drove in both runners with a double. 
•  It became a 3-3 game after both teams added a run in the sixth. 
London Williams homered to center for CMU's score. Miami's score came on a line drive out to right by Ella Carter. It was enough for Hernandez to tag up and score from third, but the diving catch robbed Carter from getting at least a double.
•  It was a still a 3-3 game entering the seventh inning. However, Central Michigan drew a leadoff walk and followed with a single. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, the Chippewas moved in front when Laska scored on a RedHawk throwing error. When Ashley Bila came home on a first-and-third steal play, CMU was up 5-3. Two singles and another error brought in two more runs. After a fly out to center, Miami finished the inning by throwing out a runner at home. 
•  The RedHawks went down 1-2-3 in the home half, ending their 2026 tournament experience. 
•  Chevrier (L, 9-5) allowed seven runs (6 earned) on seven hits and seven walks. Brooklyn Compau (W, 11-5) earned the win, surrendering three runs on five hits with one walk. She struck out four. 
•  Williams led CMU hitters, going 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBI's 
•  Five different Miami players had one hit. None had multiple hits.