Hayes Throws Gem in Loss to UCF

Tuesday, March 22

Orlando, Fla.

5:30 p.m.

Kent State University

17-7

University of Central Florida

22-13

Kent State

UCF

Photo by: Dave Warren

3/22/2016 7:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Junior Janel Hayes was outstanding in the circle for Kent State over the first 5.2 innings of Tuesday evening's game at UCF, but a defensive error and one bad pitch resulted in a 4-2 loss.

Hayes (5-6) did not allow a hit until Willow Kalinen singled up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. After UCF's first hitter reached on an error, Hayes retired 14 straight batters.

"This is a disappointing loss, especially with Janel pitching such a great game," said interim head coach Eric Oakley. "She deserves so much credit for going toe-to-toe against one of the best pitchers in the country. However, we can't give a team like UCF two errors and expect to win."

UCF got its first runner to third base in the sixth on a leadoff walk, bunt single and sacrifice bunt. Hayes remained poised and, after getting a groundout to the right side to hold the runners, appeared to get out of the jam just two pitches later on a fly ball to left field. The ball was dropped, however, and the Knights took a 2-1 lead. Jessica Ujvari followed with a two-run homer to make it 4-1 and end Hayes' night in the circle.

Hayes totaled three strikeouts and just one walk while allowing four unearned runs on three hits in 5.2 innings. Junior Ronnie Ladines got a strikeout for the final out in the sixth.

Kent State (17-7) led most of the game after taking a 1-0 lead on a home run by freshman Bailey Brownfield in the top of the second inning.

Sophomore Holly Speers added a solo home run with two outs in the seventh, but it was not enough.

The Golden Flashes were unable to come through with the timely hits needed to add insurance runs in multiple innings and left nine runners on base in the game.

A hit batter and a pair of walks loaded the bases with just one out in the fifth, but a fly ball to right field and a popup to the shortstop ended the frame.

After drawing a leadoff walk, sophomore Emily Dobbin advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt in the sixth. UCF reliever Jamie Ujvari was able to strikeout the next two batters to keep her team within a run.

"Bailey and Holly both stepped up and hit big solo shots," Oakley said. "We had plenty of opportunities to pull away but could not get the hit we needed with runners on."

Kent State begins Mid-American Conference play this weekend with a three-game home series against Central Michigan. First pitch for Friday's opening game at the Diamond at Dix has been moved up to 2 p.m. and the teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, which is slated for 1 p.m.