Flashes Bats Throttle Leopards in Run-Rule 11-3 Win

Sunday, February 18

Conway, S.C.

8:45 A.M.

Kent State University

4-1

Lafayette

1-4

Lafayette

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Flashes Bats Throttle Leopards in Run-Rule 11-3 Win

2/18/2018 1:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. – Kent State's (4-1) offense continued to roll on Sunday morning, as it crushed Lafayette (1-4) in five innings, 11-3. The Golden Flashes concluded their opening weekend of competition winning four straight games and outscoring their opponents, 32-12. Kent State clubbed 12 hits as eight different Flashes got in on the hit parade.

"We had a great weekend, we asked the team to make adjustments after Friday, and they clearly did with four straight wins," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "Emily Dobbin did a fine job pitching. She displayed confidence inside the circle and the team played great defense behind her."

Kent State has scored at least 10 runs in each of its last three games for the first time since 2011.

How It Happened

The Golden Flashes offense broke the game open in the first frame scoring six runs. Bailey Brownfield doubled to left centerfield to bring in Vanessa Scoarste and Holly Speers to fire the opening salvo. Jen Cader smacked a 2 RBI single to score Brownfield and Allie Luther. With a runner on, Bre Westover deposited a home run over the left field fence for her first career hit.

The Leopards answered with two runs of their own in the top of the second and were aided by two passed balls and a walk to make the score, 6-2.

Kent State was quick to answer with a three-spot in the bottom of the second. Luther and Westover both punched RBI singles into the outfield to score two runs. With runners on the corners the Flashes pulled off a double-steal as Kylee Southers stole second and Alexis Taube broke for a steal of home to give KSU a 9-2 lead.

In the third Scoarste walked to setup a two-run dinger by Holly Speers, her first of the season, and 32nd of her career for an 11-2 lead.

Lafayette chipped away for a lone tally in the fourth which would lead to an 11-3 final.

In the final inning, Scoarste made a stellar defensive play, laying out for a line drive for the final out to ensure a five-inning win.

Dobbin (1-1) finished the day inside the circle throwing 4.1 innings allowing four hits, five walks, three runs with two earned and struck out two. The converted outfield picked up her first win since defeating Youngstown State, 3-2, in 2016. Brenna Brownfield pitched the final 0.2 innings and did not allow a baserunner.

Flash Facts

- Speers was 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. She had a mammoth weekend hitting 9-for-14 with three extra-base hits, seven RBIs and six runs scored with a 1.000 slugging percentage.

- Luther compiled the best weekend of her career with five hits, a home run and five RBIs.

- On the weekend Kent State hit .304 with runners in scoring position and .302 with two outs.

- Jade Williams recorded her first career hit in the first inning against Lafayette.

- The defense was admirable on opening weekend and did not commit a single error.

Up Next

The Golden Flashes will fly to the Sunshine State and take part in the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational next weekend, February 23-25, and play five games against Delaware, Nicholls State, Middle Tennessee, Albany and Villanova.