As we get deeper into the summer months empty of college sports action, let's take a look back at some of the successes enjoyed by the RedHawks during the 2010-2011 athletic seasons. Next up we have the stylings of Jessica Simpson, who pitched her way into the record books while carrying the RedHawks deep into the conference tournament.
Simpson's first two seasons wearing the Red & White were certainly noteworthy (a 43-28 record with a 1.92 ERA and 346 K's in 441 2/3 innings), but who could have predicted what a dominant force she would be in her junior year? At the end of the season she would etch her name into Miami and MAC recordbooks, with what might be the best single season by a RedHawk pitcher ever.
Led by Simpson, the RedHawks cruised through the 2011 season, posting a 32-22 record, their third consecutive 30-victory campaign and Simpson was the go-to girl all year long. She toed the mound 48 times (40 starts), posting a record of 27-15 with a 1.60 ERA. In 298 2/3 innings of work she had an incredible 317/67 strikeout/walk ratio. She was the very definition of an innings-eater and bullpen saver; 38 of her 40 starts were complete game efforts. She fired off 15 shutouts, including a no-hitter on May 6 over Northern Illinois, the first no-hitter thrown by a RedHawk since 2005. By the time the dust had settled, she had set new single-season records for appearances, starts, innings pitched, wins, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts. Oh, and in case that wasn't enough, she also picked up two saves during her relief work.
As the regular season runners-up in the MAC East Division behind the rival Ohio Bobcats, Miami claimed the #7 seed in the MAC Tournament. Unfortunately, a speed bump was hit right away in the opening round against OU. Simpson took a 4-2 lead into the game's final frame, but the Bobcats rallied to score three times in the bottom of the seventh inning for a shocking come-from-behind walkoff win. Relegated to the elimination side of the bracket, Simpson and the 'Hawks bounced back with a vengeance. She allowed only one unearned run in complete game victories over Northern Illinois and Ball State (striking out a combined 21 opponents). But she hiccupped again in the bracket's final elimination game, as the offense was unable to come back all the way from an early 4-0 deficit against Central Michigan, and the 'Hawks were knocked out 4-2 by the Chippewas.
Simpson was named MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week seven times during the course of the season, setting a new conference single-season record. She was named All-MAC First Team, and All-Midwest Region Second Team (National Fastpitch Coach's Association). Not surprisingly, she was named MAC Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first RedHawk to ever win the award. She managed to move up in the career recordbooks as well. In the first game of a doubleheader against Bowling Green on April 29, Simpson earned her 64th career victory, becoming the winningest pitcher in program history. She ended the season as the new career leader in both wins (70) and shutouts (33). Her 740 innings pitched, 82 complete games and 663 K's are all second-best in program history, while her 130 appearances and 103 starts rank third-most.
The scary thing is that she still has one more year of eligibility. What will Simpson do for a finale to her RedHawk career in her fourth season?
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