Kent State Sweeps Western Michigan in Drama Filled Conference Opener

Saturday, March 24

Kent, Ohio

1:00 P.M.

Kent State University

13-9, 1-0

Western Michigan

13-12, 0-1

Western Michigan

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Sweeps Western Michigan in Drama Filled Conference Opener

3/24/2018 8:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KENT, Ohio – Kent State (14-9, 2-0 MAC) got off to a hot start in Mid-American Conference play, downing Western Michigan (13-13, 0-2 MAC) twice on Saturday at the Diamond at Dix. Down by five entering the sixth inning of game one, the Golden Flashes rallied to force extra innings and defeated the Broncos in nine frames, 8-7. Kent State won in walk-off fashion on a ball that Bailey Brownfield hit to right that was dropped to score Emily Dobbin for the game-winning run. It's the third time Kent State has walked off this season.

In the second game, the Golden Flashes won 1-0. Maria Cegledy doubled to right to score pinch runner Sydney Anderson for the lone tally in the sixth inning. Madi Huck tossed her fourth shutout of the season and had a no-hitter through five innings. Cegledy was clutch all day and also plated the game-tying run in the first game in the bottom of the seventh inning with two strikes and two outs with a single up the middle.

"Two great wins today. Hitting came through for us in the first game and pitching and defense in game two. All three pitchers put in good work. Sborlini and Brownfield settled down WMU's offense in game one and then Huck recovered strongly in game two," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "Cegledy had some big clutch hits for us and Bailey Brownfield did a nice job protecting Speers and made sure we benefitted from the intentional walks. Tomorrow's game will be just as big, but it's a good start for us."

Game 1: Kent State 8, Western Michigan 7 (9 innings)

The Golden Flashes played in their second straight nine inning extra inning affair dating back to last weekend at Penn State.

Western Michigan scored the first runs of the contest with a Brooke Wyman double in the third and a Marlee Wilson solo shot and Wyman's two run double in the fourth to give Western Michigan a four run lead.

Kent State responded in the bottom of the inning with a single from Dobbin to setup a two-run jack by Holly Speers, her eighth of the campaign, to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Broncos pounded the ball again in the next two innings, scoring two in the sixth and one in the fifth to give WMU a 7-2.

The sixth inning was a massive one for Kent State as it scored four runs. Kaitlyn Miller led off with a walk, Dobbin singled and Holly Speers was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bailey Brownfield delivered an RBI single to left. Carlee Selle singled to left to plate another and Allie Luther hit into an RBI fielder's choice to make the score, 7-5. Pinch hitter Jade Williams came through in the clutch for the second consecutive week driving an RBI single up the middle to bring Kent State within one.

Cegledy came through with her two out, two strike RBI single to center to tie the game. After a scoreless eighth inning, Speers was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. Bailey Brownfield came through with a liner to right that was dropped to complete the comeback.

Brenna Brownfield recorded the win (3-3) in two inning of relief duty. Olivia Sborlini was also solid out the pen, throwing three innings of one run ball.

Game 2: Kent State 1, Western Michigan 0

The second game was the complete opposite of the first as it was a pitcher's duel with only one run scored. Madi Huck (9-2) spun a gem and had a no-hitter through five innings. Neither team threatened to score until the sixth inning.

Speers walked to begin the frame and was sacrificed to second base. Cegledy came through yet again with a double to right to score the game's only run.

Western Michigan was a tough out in the seventh as they loaded the bases, but Huck induced a fly out to right to end the game.

Huck allowed three hits and three walks while striking out four in seven innings. Anissa Sanchez pitched six innings for the Broncos and was tagged with the loss. She allowed four hits with four walks and struck out four.

Up Next

Kent State and Western Michigan conclude their series on Sunday, March 25 at 1 p.m. at the Diamond at Dix.