Flashes Edge Rockets 1-0
3/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
KENT, Ohio - Kylie Reynolds hurled her third shutout of the season, while the Golden Flashes' offense got a little help from the sun in a 1-0 victory over Toledo Saturday afternoon (March 29) at the Diamond at Dix. Heather Duhon's fifth-inning RBI double scored the game's only run, helping the Flashes (19-8) improve to 2-1 in Mid-American Conference play.
Reynolds improved to 10-4 on the year after fanning eight hitters in seven innings. Despite some control problems, the 2007 MAC Pitcher of the Year allowed just two hits and got the outs when she needed them.
"I was happy with her performance," Head Coach Karen Linder said of Reynolds. "She threw a lot of innings yesterday and for her to come back today and allow two hits is a great job. There were times when she needed to get some outs and she gutted it out."
KSU's fifth inning began with a walk to Corey Houk, who moved to second on a bunt from pinch hitter Leah Archual. Kalie Germaine then sliced a single through the left side, sending Houk to third. Duhon then hit what looked like a routine fly ball, but Toledo center fielder Erica Singer lost the ball in the sun and Houk scored easily from third.
Jessica Toocheck made outstanding defensive plays in both the sixth and seventh innings. Her back-handed stab and throw to second in the seventh, prevented Toledo from moving the tying to second base with one out.
The Rockets left a total of nine runners on base and loaded the bases in the second, before Reynolds fanned Sam Toy for the second time in as many innings to end the threat.
Toledo starter Hannah Rockhold allowed just four hits and two walks in the loss.
"The lineup was sluggish," Linder said of a team that played doubleheaders on both Wednesday and Friday immediately following a long spring break trip. "Mentally and physically, they're just not at the top of their game right now. For us to be able to come away with a win at this point... I'll take it."
The Golden Flashes will close out their four-game weekend Sunday (March 30) in a rematch with Toledo at 1 p.m.
