Softball Sweeps Northern Illinois, 3-2 In 11 Innings
4/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Leary retired NIU's Lauren VonHolst in the bottom of the fifth, on a2-2 count for her 500th strikeout. Leary became Kent State's all-timestrikeout leader March 14 against Western Kentucky University.
In the first inning, senior centerfielder Kelly Maehl (Powell,Ohio/Olentangy) tallied the first run for the Flashes after she doubledthen advanced to third on a sacrifice hit from freshman first baseman MeganVerde (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson). Maehl then scored as senior leftfielderRachel Testa (Rootstown, Ohio/Hoban) doubled.
Kent State capitalized on two errors by Northern Illinois in thefifth inning as Testa reached first on a throwing error and later scored onan error by the shortstop.
The Huskies then put two on the board in the bottom of the sixthinning as Kelly Drozd registered a bunt single sending home two NIU runnersto tie the score at 2-2.
Testa then contributed to KSU's game-winning run as she singled down theleft field line, batting in senior shortstop Marci Ridenbaugh (Canton,Ohio/South) for the victory.
KSU's 11 hits are the Flashes third-best hitting output of theseason.
The Kent State University softball team will open at home Wednesday, April 14, as they play host to Central Michigan University in adoubleheader. Game time is 1 p.m.
