Offensive Explosion and Late Game Heroics Key in Saturday Sweep

Saturday, February 17

Conway, S.C.

9:00 A.M.

Kent State University

2-1

UConn

4-2

Kent State

UCONN

Photo by: David Dermer

Offensive Explosion and Late Game Heroics Key in Saturday Sweep

2/17/2018 9:24:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CONWAY, S.C. – Kent State's (3-1) bats came alive as the Golden Flashes recorded two wins on the day, defeating UConn, 10-0, and came back from behind to win in extra innings against Rider in nine frames, 10-9. With the team down to its final out against the Broncs, captain Hunter Brancifort smashed a grand slam to tie the game at seven. The clutch at bats continued in extra innings as Kent State came through for the comeback victory and the Flashes scored the go-ahead run on an error in the ninth.

"We had two really nice team wins. I'm very happy that the offense kicked into gear today," said head coach Eric Oakley. "Madi Huck had a great outing in the first game, and Brenna Brownfield pitched us into a position to win the second game."

In total, the Flashes scored 20 runs on the day on 23 hits after scoring four combined runs in two games yesterday. The Flashes got contributions from every spot in the lineup as each spot scored at least one run.

Huck picked right back up where she left off yesterday's complete game shutout, accomplishing the same feat against the Huskies and extended her scoreless streak to 25.2 innings. It was snapped in the second game due to the international-tie breaker rule when she came out of the bullpen. Brenna Brownfield made her first career start against Rider and got big outs when needed.

Game 1: Kent State 10, UConn 0

Kent State's offense exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits as the Flashes bats had their first big showing on the season.

In the third inning Holly Speers hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Kaitlyn Miller for the game's first run.

The Flashes added three more runs in the sixth inning on Allie Luther's three-run dinger to left centerfield. It was Kent State's first home run of the season.

The offense was relentless in the seventh inning and added six more runs. Holly Speers smacked an RBI double, Luther shot an RBI single to right, Carlee Selle recorded her first career hit and RBI and Vanessa Scoarste concluded the scoring with a two RBI double. Kent State also added a run via a Huskies error.

Madi Huck (2-0) pitched a shutout for the second time in as many days. She scattered five hits and one walk while striking out two.

Luther set a new career-high with four RBIs.

Miller was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored from the leadoff spot.

Emily Dobbin was 2-for-3 with a double and sacrifice bunt.

Carlee Selle tallied her first career hit with an RBI.

"I though the turning point in the game was Jen Cader working the count and drawing a walk to setup Allie's homer in the sixth."

Game 2: Kent State 10, Rider 9

The Flashes scored two runs in the first inning before starter Brenna Brownfield threw a pitch. Holly Speers singled up the middle to score Miller and Bailey Brownfield registered an RBI groundout to send Dobbin home to jumpstart the Kent State offense.

In the third inning Speers against collected an RBI on a double to center which scored Miller for the second time to put the Flashes up, 3-0.

The Broncs started to chip away in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly, before erupting for six runs in the fifth inning. Rider was aided by four free baserunners and took advantage to take the lead, 7-3.

The Flashes would not go away as Dobbin, Speers and Bailey Brownfield all singled to start off the inning to load the bases. With two outs and Kent State down to its final out, Hunter Brancifort crushed a grand slam home run to tie the game, 7-7.

"I don't think anybody in the park didn't think she was going to hit it," said Oakley. "She was having good at bats, putting the ball in play and you could see she was about to connect on a pitch."

The international tie-breaker rule was in effect for extras where, the last out of the previous inning is placed on second base with nobody out to begin the new frame. Kent State took advantage as Vanessa Vodan hit a single to move Brenna Brownfield to third, and Miller hit a sacrifice fly to center to take the lead, 8-7.

Rider singled to right field in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game again, 8-8.

Kent State scored two runs in the ninth as Brancifort reached on an error which allowed Maria Cegledy to score, and Brenna Brownfield doubled to bring in Brancifort and take the lead, 10-8.

The pesky Broncs mounted another comeback in their half of the ninth, but it was futile. After scoring one run, the catcher Vodan threw out a runner trying to advance to third on a dropped ball to end the marathon ballgame.

"In the middle part of the game we struggled to find the right pitches early and locked in as the game went along," commented Oakley.

Brenna Brownfield pitched 6.2 innings allowing nine hits, one walk and four earned runs while striking out four in her first career start.

Huck (3-0) got the win out of the bullpen and threw two innings allowing two hits and two runs. Neither run was earned due to the international tie-breaker rules.

Holly Speers was 4-for-5 with two RBIs, a double, and a run scored

Vodan set a new career-high with three hits and had a perfect 3-for-3 day with a walk.

Miller reached base twice with two walks, scored two runs and drove in a run with a pivotal sacrifice fly.

Pulling double-duty, Brenna Brownfield was 2-for-4 and recorded her first career hit and smacked a two-bagger with an RBI and a run scored.

Up Next

Kent State concludes its opening weekend of play at the crack of dawn tomorrow, February 18, with an 8:45 a.m. scheduled first pitch against Lafayette.