2008 Woodie Awards
Explosive offense powers MU
Sophomore duo ignites Miami in 2 conference wins
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Sports
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Miami University struggled right from the get go, dropping the first game of a double-header against Bowling Green State University and then falling behind in the second as well. Down 3-1 in the fourth inning of Friday's nightcap, Miami saw its weekend already spiraling out of control.
The 'Hawks posted a run in the bottom of the fourth, and then exploded for nine combined runs in the fifth and sixth to seal an 11-3 victory and a split series with the Falcons.
Sophomores Sarah Billstrom and Alicia Hogl powered the Miami attack. Each doubled in the fourth to drive in three of the five RedHawk runs that inning, making the score 7-3. In the sixth, Hogl drew a free pass to load the bases, which Billstrom followed with a single to drive in another run.
"In times like those it's hard to be a clutch hitter," Hogl said. "When there's runners on second and third, you want those runs more than anything and that's pressure right there on your shoulders. That's a challenge for almost every one of us. When you have pressure on yourself it's going to make you tense, it's going to affect how you swing-you have to release it. You have to just grasp onto the moment but don't let it get into your head."
The offensive explosion displayed Miami's resilience as the team had to bounce back from a game one loss and an early game two deficit. BG pitcher Emily Gouge seemed to have the 'Hawks' number early on, but the Red and White hung tough and eventually got the bats rolling.
"We were 0-4 with Bowling Green last year," Billstrom said. "We didn't win a game against them and that definitely put fire under us. After losing that first game (Friday) and knowing that we shouldn't have, we definitely got it in us to go back out there and take the game from them and that's exactly what we did."
The next day, Miami continued its offensive attack by putting up seven more runs in a 7-4 win against the University of Toledo.
Hogl and Billstrom shined once again. Hogl blasted her second homerun of the season in route to three RBIs on the day, while Billstrom doubled twice and picked up two RBIs of her own.
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