No-Hitter and One-Hitter Gives Flashes 2-0 Start
2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box vs. North Carolina Central
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
- In a pair of nearly perfect pitching performances from sophomore Kylie Reynolds and freshman Markie Pozzuto, Kent State captured a pair of victories Friday (Feb. 8) at the Carolina Classic. A one-hit shutout from Reynolds in the opening game, helped the Golden Flashes to a 1-0 win over George Washington at Anderson Field. Pozzuto then tossed a five-inning no-hitter in a 9-0 KSU victory over North Carolina Central.
"We're very happy with the way both of our pitchers performed today," Head Coach Karen Linder said. "They both got ahead in the count a lot, which allowed them to take control."
Reynolds pitched all seven innings in her shutout, allowing one hit and striking out 12 Colonial batters. The Flashes scored their only run in the sixth inning on a double steal. Freshman pinch runner Holly Finchum stole second base while senior shortstop Jessica Toocheck stole home to score the go-ahead run. Toocheck led off the inning with a double to left center and moved to third on a fly ball by Corey Houk.
"Holly went on the second pitch," Linder said of the double steal. "And I told Jess (Toocheck), if they throw through you're going home."
George Washington's only hit was a one-out double in the top of the seventh by Jackie Yaniga. However, Reynolds got the next two batters to ground out.
Immediately after the victory, the Flashes moved to University of North Carolina's Upper Field where Jess Carmichael put KSU on the board quickly. The freshman smashed a solo homer to left center in the game's second at bat. It would be all the run support Pozzuto needed.
NCCU's leadoff batter Sophia Blue reached on an error, but Pozzuto struck out the next three batters in the first inning of her collegiate debut. The rookie left-hander retired 15 of the next 16 hitters and fanned 10.
Carmichael doubled and scored in the third to give the Flashes a 2-0 lead. The next inning Carmichael and classmate Ashlee Hein each blasted two-run homers. Carmichael drove in two more runs in Kent State's three-run fifth to finish 4-for-4 with five RBI. She also went 2-for-3 in the opening game.
"Jess got it done all day offensively," Linder said. "She was very calm and focused in all of her at bats."
Toocheck and sophomore outfielder Lauren Brocklehurst each went 2-for-3 in the second game. Toocheck belted doubles in each game, going 3-for-6 on the day. Linder was also pleased with the team's defensive performance in their first outdoor appearance in several months.
Saturday (Feb. 9) the Golden Flashes (2-0) will face a pair of 40-win opponents from the 2007 season in East Carolina (10 a.m.) and host North Carolina (12:30 p.m.) during day two of the Carolina Classic.
