Kent State University
18-18, 8-2
Miami
21-14, 6-4
Scali’s Arm and Brownfields’ Bats Highlight Shutout Victory
4/12/2019 6:37:00 PM | Softball
KENT, Ohio – Andrea Scali threw her sixth shutout of the season and both Bailey and Brenna Brownfield drove in all three of Kent State's (18-18, 8-2 MAC) runs in a 3-0 victory over Miami (21-14, 6-4 MAC) on Friday afternoon at the Diamond at Dix. The Golden Flashes' 8-2 start to league play is the best since the 2015 season.
"It was a great all-around effort, the first time through the order was slow but then we managed to start putting some things together the second time through the order," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "Those are two very good pitchers and it's nice to come out on top."
How it Happened
The game featured two of the finest pitchers the Mid-American Conference has to offer in Scali and Miami's Courtney Vierstra. The two went step-for-step in the first two frames as each struck out five.
Megan Turner sparked the Kent State third with a leadoff single and was replaced by pinch runner Brooklyn Whitt. Kaitlyn Miller layed down a critical sacrifice bunt to advance Whitt into scoring position. With two outs, Bailey Brownfield blasted her team-leading 13th double of the campaign to center and registered her 20th RBI of the year. Brenna Brownfield responded with a single up the middle and Bailey Brownfield scored on a play at the plate as the throw came up the line to make it 2-0 Kent State.
In the fifth inning, Kennadie Goth reached on an infield single to short with one out and stole second base on a strikeout to move into scoring position. Brenna Brownfield hit a ball deep into the hole at short and beat it out for an infield single and Goth charged all the way from second to score an extra insurance run.
The Brownfields and Vierstra, both residents of Licking County, have played on the same youth teams for years. Brenna Brownfield and Vierstra were teammates on Lakewood High School's back-to-back state championships clubs.
Scali coasted the rest of the ballgame and her defense made plays behind her to close it out.
The Flashes' starter moved to a perfect 6-0 in league games and 13-6 overall. Scali scattered three hits and struck out nine. Courtney Vierstra went six innings and allowed nine hits and equaled Scali's nine strikeouts.
Up Next
Kent State and Miami will close out the three-game series on Saturday, April 13 with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Scali, Andrea (13-6)
L: VIERSTRA, Courtney (9-7)
Batting:
2B: Brownfield, Bailey 1
RBI: Brownfield, Bailey 1 ; Brownfield, Brenna 2
SH: Miller, Kaitlyn 1 ; Cegledy, Maria 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Goth, Kennadie 1 ; Brownfield, Bailey 1 ; Whitt, Brooklyn 1
SB: Goth, Kennadie 1
HBP: Brownfield, Bailey 1
