Big-time freshman has Miami in NCAAs

Describing herself as ‘a big-game pitcher,’ Simpson has proven to be that for RedHawks.

Reds’ Nix becomes free agent
4:42 p.m.
Unbeaten Bearcats work on running game
1:03 p.m.
Cincinnati QB could face jail in fake ID case
1:03 p.m.
OSU-UM a  holiday treat for Springboro grad
10:09 a.m.
UK game in past, Miami men’s hoops looks forward to Travelers tourney
9:10 a.m.
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 10:27 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009

OXFORD — Miami University softball coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly hit the jackpot when she signed pitcher Jessica Simpson, a two-time Ohio player of the year, to a national letter of intent last year.

“She came to me when she got here (and said) that she wanted to help us to win the (Mid-American Conference),” Kovach Schoenly said. “She’s used to winning. She has won at every level she has played.”

But even Simpson did not expect to help bring so much success so quickly to the RedHawks.

The freshman from North Canton Hoover High School will be in the pitcher’s circle when the RedHawks make their second-ever NCAA tournament appearance, facing the Michigan Wolverines in a first-round game Friday, May 15, in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“I really thought I could help out a lot,” said Simpson, who set a state record with 69 career shutouts, led Hoover to two state championships and was named 2007 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year and 2008 Ohio High Magazine Player of the Year. “After my high school years I had a lot of confidence. I just didn’t realize it would happen so soon.”

“It’s awesome. Obviously I came in wanting to help the program, but this is great, beyond expectations,” Simpson said.

She was named MAC tournament MVP after going 4-0 at the University of Akron’s Firestone Stadium, where she allowed only two earned runs in 28 innings and none over the final 17 innings.

“Those were some of the best games I’ve pitched since I’ve been here,” said Simpson, who has a 23-11 record, including 10 shutouts, with a 1.90 ERA. “It was tournament time, we could all see the final goal and we all came together.

“I felt like I was in my environment,” she added. “I won a state championship (last spring) on that field, and I feel like I’m a big-game pitcher.”

After recording a high school career ERA of 0.36 in 784 innings, many universities took a shot at the Simpson Sweepstakes.

“Miami just stood out,” she said. “I really connected with the people.”

Simpson, the daughter of Karen and Blake Simpson, knows she and her teammates have their work cut out for them against the seventh-ranked Wolverines, the No. 5 national seed.

“Obviously we’re the underdogs,” Simpson said. “I just want to give them a fair game and see what happens. There are a lot of big hitters on that team.

“I’ll be a little nervous,” she added, “but I’m looking at it as a challenge. It’ll be a fun one.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

Jessica Simpson

Share this article