Flashes Move Into Sole Possession of First Place
4/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
KENT, Ohio - Senior Alyssa Frobase blasted her second and third homers of the season as Kent State topped Ball State 3-2 Saturday at "The Diamond at Dix." Back-to-back shots in the fifth by Amy Hair and Frobase put the Flashes ahead for good, giving KSU (20-16, 7-2 MAC) sole possession of first place in the MAC.
The game's first hit belonged to Frobase, who smashed a no-doubter to right field in the bottom of the third. The left-handed designated player was in the starting lineup for just the third time in conference play and the 10th time this season.
"Knowing what we do about their pitcher (Elizabeth Milian), I felt like Alyssa had a great chance of hitting her," Head Coach Karen Linder said of putting Frobase in the lineup. "She's got really quick hands and she's got power."
Ball State responded with a run of their own in the fourth. A hit by pitch and a wild pitch put Alicia Barkley on second base. A two-out single up the middle by Alyssa Collins tied the game. It was the Cardinals' first hit of the contest. Reynolds kept the damage to a minimum, leaving the bases loaded.
After a 26 minute weather delay, the Flashes went down in order in the fourth and the Cardinals took their first lead in the fifth. A pair of one out singles and a walk loaded the base for Amanda Carpenter, who sent a sacrifice fly to deep center field. The Cardinals left runners on second and third, keeping the Flashes within a run (2-1).
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Hair sent a line drive just inside the right field foul pole to tie the game. Two pitches later, Frobase launched her second longball of the day to center field.
"I think Amy's (Hair) a lot more comfortable out there right now," Linder said. "The back of our order came through for us big time against one of the better pitchers in the league."
Saturday was business as usual for Kylie Reynolds, who improved to 7-1 in conference play. She ran her weekend strikeout total up to 25 and left nine runners on base including two in the seventh.
In their final chance at the plate, the Cardinals had runners on first and second with one out, before the KSU defense took over. Catcher Jess Blanton quickly tracked a foul ball over her head and made a sliding catch into the backstop. Reynolds then displayed quick reflexes on a one-hopper toward the third base side and fired to first where Hair made a tough scoop and held on.
"I'm real proud of the way we responded after they went up," Linder added.
The three home runs were the only hits allowed by Milian, who fell to 20-3 on the season. Ball State (28-10, 6-3 MAC) totaled four hits, all singles.
The Golden Flashes and Cardinals will face off again Sunday at 1 p.m.
