Kent State University
12-7
Penn State
1-18
Kent State Earns Split Over Penn State
3/17/2018 9:12:00 PM | Softball
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Golden Flashes split a doubleheader with Penn State on Saturday afternoon at Beard Field. Kent State won the first game of the day, 6-5, before falling in the second game by the same score. The Golden Flashes utilized a five run first inning to jump out in front in the first game, and nearly came back to tie the second game in the seventh inning, leaving the tying run on base.
Highlighting the day for KSU was Holly Speers, who reached base in seven of eight trips to the plate, and Bailey Brownfield who knocked in four RBIs.
"It was a solid day overall. Aside from one inning we played solid ball today," said head coach Eric Oakley. "This is a good warmup for the MAC schedule. I am optimistic that the team will come out tomorrow excited to fight for the series win."
Game 1: Kent State 6, Penn State 5
Kent State struck first for five runs in the first inning. Kennadie Goth led off the game with a standup triple and was driven in on a fielder's choice from Emily Dobbin. With two outs in the frame, Brownfield smacked an opposite field double to the left centerfield gap to score two runs. Marie Cegledy kept the hit parade going with a double to the centerfield warning track to send two more runs across.
The Nittany Lions were quick to answer as Paige Johnson hit a three-run home to right to cut Kent State's lead to two.
Speers led off the third with a walk and Kaitlyn Miller reached on an infield single. Brownfield moved both runners over on a groundout and then Allie Luther hit a sacrifice fly to score Speers.
Penn State scored two runs in the sixth and was helped out by two free passes. Both runs scored on a single to center by Tori Dubois.
Madi Huck retired the Nittany Lions in order to end the contest.
Huck (8-2) threw all seven innings and allowed five earned runs on five hits while striking out three. Seven Nittany Lions walked in the game.
Jessica Cummings (1-7) suffered the setback for Penn State. She allowed eight hits and six earned runs, allowing eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
Game 2: Penn State 6, Kent State 5
The first three innings were a pitchers' duel as neither offense was able to muster more than one baserunner. Kent State scored first in the fourth when Bailey Brownfield cracked a two RBI triple to right center, the first of her career.
Penn State scored five runs in the fourth inning to take the lead and tacked on one more in the fifth to make it a 6-2 lead.
The Flashes scored two in the sixth when Miller hit a sacrifice fly and Bailey Brownfield reached on a fielder's choice when allowed Dobbin to score. Kent State left the bases loaded to end the inning.
Goth led off with a single to try and mount a comeback. She scored on a wild pitch later in the inning. Holly Speers singled with two out, but was left stranded to end the game.
Brenna Brownfield (2-3) threw 4.2 innings allowing six hits and five earned runs. Olivia Sborlini provided solid refief out of the pen throwing 1.1 innings allowing one run and three hits.
Up Next
Kent State rounds out weekend against Penn State on Sunday, March 18th at 1 p.m. and will try and take the series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Huck, Madi (8-2)
L: Cummings (1-7)
Batting:
2B: Dobbin, Emily 1 ; Brownfield, Bailey 1 ; Cegledy, Maria 1
3B: Goth, Kennadie 1
RBI: Dobbin, Emily 1 ; Brownfield, Bailey 2 ; Luther, Allie 1 ; Cegledy, Maria 2
SF: Luther, Allie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Goth, Kennadie 1 ; Dobbin, Emily 1 ; Speers, Holly 1 ; Miller, Kaitlyn 1 ; Brownfield, Bailey 1 ; Luther, Allie 1
Batting:
HR: Johnson 1
RBI: Dubois 2 ; Johnson 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Fey 1 ; Dubois 1 ; Elling 1 ; Johnson 1 ; Arrizurieta 1
