Softball Shuts Out Chanticleers on Season’s Opening Day

Friday, February 16

Conway, S.C.

9:00 A.M.

Kent State University

0-1

Robert Morris

1-4

Robert Morris

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Softball Shuts Out Chanticleers on Season’s Opening Day

2/16/2018 6:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CONWAY, S.C. – The Golden Flashes softball team (1-1) opened its season with a doubleheader split at the Battle of the Beach on Friday. Kent State dropped its season opener to Robert Morris, 3-2, and came back later in the day to beat Coastal Carolina, 1-0.

Madi Huck was sensational inside the circle in game two, throwing her first career complete game shutout. Dating back to last season, she has not allowed a run in 18.2 innings and has not allowed an earned run in 24.1 innings.

Emily Dobbin pitched the first game and only allowed three runs. The Flashes defense did not commit an error all day.

"We had nice pitching and defense today. All things considered, we are happy with the split," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "We need to get the bats going for future games, but I am proud of the team for scrapping out a good win to finish the day."

The Flashes utilized a large portion of the roster, as 22 players received playing time on the day.

Game 1: Robert Morris 3, Kent State 2

The Golden Flashes trailed from the start as Robert Morris hit a leadoff homer to begin the morning at the Battle of the Beach.

In the second frame, Emily Dobbin doubled down the left field line to score Kent State's first run of the year, as Jen Cader crossed the plate to tie the game at one.

Robert Morris capitalized on four hits in the fifth inning to score two runs, which would be enough for the victory.

The Golden Flashes answered in the fifth with a run of their own as Holly Speers recorded an RBI single to score Dobbin and bring the Flashes within one. Kent State could not capitalize later in the frame and left two runners on base.

Despite loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, Kent State left three runners on base to end the game.

Dobbin (0-1) got the opening day start and went five innings in the setback. She allowed three earned runs, six hits and six walks while striking out four. The Vancouver, Washington native struck out the side in the fourth inning in her first appearance inside the circle since the 2016 season. Dobbin, who is an outfielder by trade, registered Kent State's lone extra base hit of the game.

Freshman Brenna Brownfield made her collegiate debut and came on in relief with a runner on in the sixth and did not allow any damage in the final two frames. In total, she faced eight batters and allowed two hits.

Senior Holly Speers was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.

Senior Allie Luther recorded one official at-bat and reached base with two walks.

Game 2: Kent State 1, Coastal Carolina 0

It was a pitchers' duel throughout the first four innings as each team was able to get runners on but unable to score.

In the fifth inning, the Golden Flashes would plate the contest's lone run. Freshman Kaitlyn Miller started a two-out rally with a base hit to right, the first of her career. Maria Cegledy was hit by a pitch, which advanced Miller to second. Then Miller made the play of the game by stealing third base with two outs, which set her up to score after Vanessa Vodan reached on an error.

Cegledy cranked a triple down the right field line in the seventh with two outs but was left stranded to end the inning.

Sophomore Madi Huck (1-0) pitched a gem in her first start of the year. The sophomore threw her first complete game shutout, surrendering four hits and three walks while striking out two. Huck was able to strand seven Chanticleers on base.

Miller, Cegledy and Alexis Taube each recorded their first career hit.

Up Next

Kent State continues play at the Battle of the Beach with two games tomorrow, February 17, starting with UConn at 9 a.m. before taking on Rider at 4:30 p.m.