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RedHawks hurler keeps cool in circle

Level demeanor helpful for MU junior Simpson, one of the MAC’s most dominating pitchers.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 12:04 AM Friday, May 6, 2011

OXFORD — Miami University’s Jessica Simpson has a poker face and a poker voice to go with it. Just try to figure out what she’s thinking or feeling. It’s not going to happen.

“She has a very, very dry personality, very laid back, kind of mellow,” said softball teammate Jenna McGivney. “She’s not like one of those girls who are perky.”

“Jenna always makes fun of me for talking in a monotone,” Simpson said.

This lack of visible expression has come in handy for the dominant pitcher in the Mid-American Conference, something Simpson hopes will continue this weekend when the RedHawks close out their regular season with four critical games at Miami Softball Stadium.

“I’d say my personality helps me in pitching,” Simpson said. “I don’t get worked up outwardly. I try to stay calm in all situations. Sometimes I get a little nervous but my teammates don’t know that ... The team feels comfortable with me on the mound, to see me calm and collected.”

“She acts the same whether she pitches a one-hitter or gives up a couple home runs,” agreed McGivney, Miami’s senior catcher. “She doesn’t get shaken that much, and if she does I tell her to relax.”

This has been anything but a relaxing week for the RedHawks.

First they had to sweat through their final exams. Today they play a doubleheader against Northern Illinois, starting at 1 p.m. Then Miami has single games against Western Michigan on Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

The RedHawks lead the MAC East Division with an 11-7 record, followed by Ohio (9-7), and can wrap up the title with a good three days. It won’t be easy, because Western Michigan has the best overall MAC record (12-4) and Northern Illinois is third (10-6).

It helps to have Simpson in the pitcher’s circle.

The junior from North Canton has set the Miami record for career wins (66), the school single-season records for strikeouts (237) and shutouts (13, which ranks third in the nation) and has been named MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week seven times.

McGivney said Simpson trusts her judgement as the catcher calling her pitches. “And I can trust that she’s going to hit her spot. It gives me a little leeway to be more creative.”

McGivney, who leads Miami with five home runs, is almost as dominant at her position. Over the past two seasons she has thrown out 50 would-be base stealers, about 60 percent.

That’s a tough proposition for opposing players. If Simpson can’t send them back to the dugout, chances are McGivney will.

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