Holly Speers Breaks NCAA Record for Consecutive Home Runs
3/27/2016 9:04:00 PM | Softball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State sophomore shortstop Holly Speers blasted her way into the NCAA record book with her walk-off three-run home run in Saturday's 9-0 victory over Central Michigan, which was her fifth home run in her last five at-bats. Speers broke the previous NCAA Division I record of four consecutive home runs by Jill Iacono of Canisius.
Unlike Iacono, who homered four times against Saint Francis on April 5, 2002, Speers' record spanned four games and came against three different pitchers. She drew six walks in plate appearances in-between, including one intentional walk.
The streak started with a solo shot in the seventh inning Tuesday night at UCF. She added two in Friday's MAC opener against Central Michigan at the Diamond at Dix — a third-inning grand slam and a fifth-inning solo shot. Speers added a homer in each game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Chippewas. She hit a solo shot in the fifth inning of Game 1 and her three-run shot ended Game 2 in the sixth inning.
Additionally, Speers is nearing a few more NCAA Division I records. She also homered in last Sunday's game against LIU Brooklyn at the USF Spring Break Tournament in Clearwater, Fla., giving her a home run in five consecutive games. That streak is tied for seventh all-time. Arizona State's Kaitlin Cochran holds the record of seven in 2002.
Speers has reached base in 11 consecutive plate appearances, which is tied for fifth in NCAA Division I history. Florida State's Maddie O'Brien holds the record by reaching 18 straight times in 2014.
The opening weekend of the Mid-American Conference season saw Speers go 4-for-4 with four home runs, nine RBIs, six runs scored and six walks to lead Kent State to a sweep of West Division favorite Central Michigan.
On the season, Speers leads the Golden Flashes with a .431 batting average, .554 on-base percentage and 1.020 slugging percentage, while sharing the team lead with nine home runs. She is second on the team with 20 RBIs, 17 runs scored and 13 walks. Speers has reached safely in all 20 games that she has appeared in and has collected a hit in 17 games.
Kent State returns to action on Wednesday with a doubleheader at Robert Morris beginning at 3 p.m.
