MIAMI SOFTBALL

Boilermakers quiet Miami bats, slug way to 8-0 win

Leila Mathis grabs a popup near the Miami dugout. (MVSmith.MRO)

OXFORD, OH -- Visiting Purdue (27-15) quieted Miami bats and bashed three home runs in an 8-0 win over MU Wednesday at the Miami Softball Complex. 

Miami (31-13) had been averaging 10 runs per game during a five-game win streak that preceded Wednesday's defeat. While no RedHawks struck out Wednesday, Purdue issued just one walk and scattered three hits. MU was never able to get a rally going.

Purdue, meanwhile, tallied . . . 

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Danitza Hernandez' double was Miami's only extra base hit. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . eight runs on nine hits. They also drew four walks and benefitted from three Miami errors. Seven Boilermaker runs came in two innings -- three in the third and four in the seventh.

Three RedHawk pitchers worked the seven innings.  Angelina Ricciardi (10-6,L) worked the first three innings, surrendering three runs on three hits. Lilana Arana allowed one run in two innings. Presley Hosick finished, yielding four runs (3 earned) across the final four frames. 

"Overall, I was really pleased with the pitching staff. They commanded the zone a little bit better. We didn't have a ton of walks, and that has been killing us. They (just) had a couple mistakes.," Miami head coach Mandy Gardner-Colegate said. Seven of eight Purdue runs scored on homers.

"Their hitters (can) make you pay," she continued. "It's good for (our pitchers) to face good hitters that can point out our mistakes (and let them know) they need to be a little sharper."

Senior Brooke Perez (7-3, W) picked up the win for Purdue, working through all seven innings on just 63 pitches.  

Big Ten pitchers are going to be a little sharper (and) with a little better movement on off-speed (stuff).," Gardner Colegate said.  "It makes (our hitters) better" in the long run.

•  Neither team scored in the first two innings. However, Purdue broke through with Anna Moore's three-run homer in the third.
•  Miami had two hits over the first four innings, but Perez faced the minimum 12 batters thanks to a pair of double plays.

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Evey Dieudonne makes a catch in left field. (MVSmith/MRO)

•  The Boilermakers added one more in the fifth when speedster Moriah Polar raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run on a ball that careened off the right center field wall.
Although there was no error on the play, Gardner-Colegate noted injuries forced some temporary adjustments in the outfield. 
"Defensively, if we had (our pitchers' backs better, this is a different ball game. ... but everybody is ... (out of place) in the outfield right now. This is the first time they've all had to be out there like that in a game. "
•  Up 4-0 after six innings, Purdue struck for four more in the seventh. The first three came home on a two-out Bella Douglas homer. 
After a Miami error, Maura Cordon doubled in the game's final run.

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NEXT: Miami hosts Ball State Friday (3 p.m.) in the first game of a three-game series. The second game is schedule for approximately 5 p.m.

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Mia Estrello puts down a tag as a Purdue runner slides into second base. (MVSmith/MRO)