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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 1:04 AM Thursday, April 28, 2011

One challenge for the Miami University men’s golf team this weekend will be to make the kind of shots that would satisfy Arnold Palmer.

The legendary golfer designed the TPC (Tournament Players Club) River’s Bend Golf Course in Maineville. It’s the site of the Mid-American Conference Championship tournament Friday through Sunday.

“It’s a great test, especially from the second shot in,” said coach Casey Lubahn, whose RedHawks are the host team of this year’s event. “The greens are sloped and the pins can be hidden. It will test every club in your bag.”

The RedHawks have played well in a season that started in September. They won the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, finished second twice and, last month, came in fourth at the 17-team FAU Spring Break Classic in Delray Beach, Fla.

“We’ve been rounding into competitive shape,” Lubahn said. “Kent State is the favorite, but I think we can be one of the teams that will challenge them.”

Miami is led by senior Nathan Sutherland, whose 71.97 scoring average is the lowest among the RedHawks.

“Nathan is an exceptional student-athlete,” Lubahn said. “He has found a way to play good golf even when he’s not in top form. He’s had a solid season with six top-10 finishes. He’s just a real steady performer.”

Also competing for Miami will be senior Michael Drobnick, sophomores Ben Peacock and Brett Tomfohrde and freshman Austin Kelly.

The tournament will begin with 36 holes on Friday, followed by 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday.

The MAC winner will receive an automatic team berth to one of the NCAA regional tournaments.

A blistering bat

One of the most potent swings in the Mid-American Conference belongs to Miami junior left fielder Bryce Redeker.

No one should be surprised.

Redeker transferred to Miami in 2009 after two seasons at Kankakee (Ill.) Community College, where he was a junior college first-team All-American.

In his first four games as a RedHawk in 2010 he drove in eight runs and in one game hit for the cycle (a home run, triple, double and single). A broken bone in his wrist shelved him for the rest of the season.

Redeker is back in a big way. Miami has won five straight and seven of its last eight, and during those eight games Redeker has driven in 12 runs. He leads the MAC with 37 RBIs.

He is likely to play a pivotal role in what should be a pivotal home series this weekend for the RedHawks. Coach Dan Simonds’ team is in second place in the MAC East Division at 10-5, two games behind Kent State (12-3).

Miami will face Bowling Green (8-7 in the MAC) at McKie Field at 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Softball surging

Another team which has won seven of its last eight is coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly’s softball squad, which also is second place in the MAC East at 7-7, one-half game behind Kent State.

The RedHawks play four road games this weekend, starting with a Friday doubleheader at Bowling Green, followed by afternoon games Saturday and Sunday at Toledo.

Jessica Simpson is one victory away from breaking Miami’s record for career wins, and she’s just a junior. She shares the record of 63 with Jackie Poggendorf (2002-05).

Simpson also has been named MAC East Pitcher of the Week six times this year and her 13 shutouts lead the league by seven. All of which is slightly beyond amazing.

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