Marshall’s Offense Too Much in 10-4 Mid-Week Setback

Wednesday, February 28

Huntington, W.Va.

3:00 P.M.

Kent State University

7-4

Marshall

7-8

Kent State

Marshall

Photo by: Sue Eckl

Marshall’s Offense Too Much in 10-4 Mid-Week Setback

2/28/2018 10:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall Thundering Herd (7-8) rolled to a 10-4 victory over Kent State (7-4) on Wednesday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field. The Herd roughed up Kent State pitching for 13 hits and scored in every inning but the third. Holly Speers was the Flashes' bright spot going 2-for-4 with a two-run dinger and three RBIs.

"Today was a good opportunity for us to work some pitchers out and get some swings in. I'm disappointed in the loss, but pleased that some individuals had strong at-bats," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "We learned a little more about our pitching rotation and found some things to work on with the team overall. I wouldn't consider today a wasted loss, we learned a lot."

How It Happened

Kennadie Goth got the Golden Flashes going with a leadoff triple to begin the game, but back-to-back strikeouts and a diving catch made by Marshall centerfielder Abigail Estrada ended the half inning.

Marshall's Elicia D'Orazio was hit by a pitch to begin the Herd first and swiped second. Eloise Tribolet knocked her in with an RBI single to center. The Flashes made a wise defensive play and cut off the throw and threw out Tribolet trying to stretch it into a double.

Goth led off the Kent State third with a walk, and then on a snap throw by the catcher that went past the first baseman, advanced all the way to third. Holly Speers knocked her in with an RBI infield single.

In the top of the fifth, KSU jumped back into the game on Holly Speers' fourth home run of the season. The two-run blast to left cut Marshall's lead to 6-3.

The Thundering Herd scored three more runs in the fifth and Kent State's Shelby Hard answered with a sacrifice fly, but the Flashes trailed, 9-4.

In the sixth Marshall added one more run on an RBI double to right field.

Kailee Williamson (3-2) got the victory for the Herd and tossed five innings allowing five hits, four runs, three earned runs and walked one while striking out three. Ali Burdette pitched the last two innings without damage.

Kent State's Brenna Brownfield (1-2) was tagged with the loss as the starter. In two innings she allowed four hits, four earned runs and three walks with one strikeout. Olivia Sborlini entered out of the bullpen for four innings, giving up nine hits, six earned runs while walking one.

Game Notes

- Speers' home run was the 35th of her career and is now one away from entering a three-way tie for second most in program history with Jessica Carmichael (2008-11) and Jamie Fitzpatrick (2005-08).
- Speers is on a 10-game hitting streak and has five multi-hit games this year. She also has seven multi-RBI games.
- Kennadie Goth was 2-for-3 belting her first career triple and scoring two runs. The Freshman has begun her career on a five-game hitting streak.
- Shelby Hard registered her first RBI in a Kent State uniform on a sacrifice fly.
- Hunter Brancifort was hit by a pitch for the third time this season and has 23 for her career. She is four away from tying the school record.

Up Next

The Golden Flashes continue their road swing and travel to Durham, N.C. for a four games this weekend. Kent State plays a doubleheader on Friday March 2, squaring off with Lehigh and Yale at 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. respectively. The Flashes face Summit League power North Dakota State on Saturday at 6 p.m., and the host Duke Blue Devils on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.