MIAMI SOFTBALL

Patton slam caps Miami win over Bulldogs

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Madie Patton's first career grand slam highlighted a five-run sixth inning that helped Miami (24-16) pull away for a 10-3 win over Butler (21-15) Wednesday at the Miami Softball Stadium. 

Starter Madi Reeves went five innings for MU, raising her record to 17-6 on the year. Lea Chevrier got the save with two scoreless/hitless innings. Katie Petran (5-5) took the loss for Butler. 

Miami out-hit the . . . 

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. . . visitors 12-5 on the day. Both sides struggled with control, issuing a total of 17 walks (Miami 8, Butler 9). 

MADIE PATTON

• The game started 40 minutes late due to a rain delay.
• Reeves started by walking the first two batters on nine pitches. However, she was able to strand both runners.
Miami worked four walks in the bottom of the first, with the last one pushing home the game's first run. 
• Miami made it a 2-0 game with Danitza Hernandez's RBI single to right center in the third inning. 
•  Butler got on the board in the fourth. Olivia Moxley led off with a double. Paxton Law, running for Moxley, moved up on a single and later came around to score on a fielder's choice. Further damage was averted when Miami threw out a runner at home on a delayed double-steal attempt. 
• The RedHawks moved out to a 4-1 lead with two runs in the bottom half. Shelby Kunkel's double drove in Kaylee Oh. Pinter followed with a single to bring home Chloe Parks. 
Miami later loaded the bases but all three were stranded on a two-out groundout. 
• After another rain delay, the Bulldogs pulled within one (4-3) with a two-run fifth. Two walks set up the table and Moxley brought them both home with a two-out double. 
• Kunkel's two-out RBI single to center gave MU a 5-3 lead after five innings. 
• Chevrier replaced Reeves in the circle and struck out two in a hitless-sixth frame for Bulldogs. 
Miami, meamwhile, used four hits and a walk to score five runs in the bottom half. Carter singled in Golembiewski with the first run. Two batters later, Patton came in as a pinch hitter and belted a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left center for a grand slam. 
• Butler's first two batters drew walks in the seventh, but Chevrier doused the fire with a pop out and two strikeouts.

•  Kunkel led the MU offense, going 3 for 4 with a walk. Carter (2 for 4) also had multiple hits.
• McKenna Campbell had one hit in one official at bat. She also recorded three walks. 
• Nine different RedHawks scored runs. Jenna Golembiewski scored twice. 

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