Softball Moves into First Place with Sweep over Broncos

Saturday, April 6

Kalamazoo, Mich.

1:00 P.M.

Kent State University

15-18, 5-2

Western Michigan

10-16, 3-3

Kent State

Western Michigan

Photo by: Rod Aydelotte

Softball Moves into First Place with Sweep over Broncos

4/6/2019 7:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kent State softball team (16-18, 6-2 MAC) came back in both wins on Saturday evening to earn a regular season series sweep over Western Michigan (10-17, 3-4 MAC) at Ebert Field. Kent State took the first game of the doubleheader 6-3 before closing with a 4-1 victory in the nightcap. The Golden Flashes moved into first place in the Mid-American Conference standings and scored 13 runs in the sixth inning during the series. Kent State has now taken seven of the last eight against the Broncos.

"Great job by the pitching staff and catcher Carlee Selle to hold Western Michigan to five runs over three games," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "The top of their order is very solid and we managed to minimize their effectiveness. The story of the weekend was our pitching and defense kept us in the game until our offense had a chance to strike. It's always good to earn a sweep."

Game 1: Kent State 6, Western Michigan 3

The Broncos scored first in opening frame and collected two hits to begin the game and sacrificed both runners over. The Broncos scored on an RBI groundout and Flashes pitcher Madi Huck left the frame with just the one run of damage. WMU scored two more in the third on a deflected line drive and a throwing error to take a 3-1.

Kent State responded in the bottom to cut into the deficit. The Flashes loaded the bases and Brenna Brownfield drove in a run with an RBI groundout to short. Kent State's offense consistently put runners on but had trouble scoring.

In the sixth inning, Kent State's bats raged and scored five runs to take the lead, 6-3. Maria Cegledy sparkplugged the frame with a leadoff doubles and Jen Cader drew a pivotal walk. With one out Megan Turner reached base on an error to load the bases. Kaitlyn Miller drove in two runs with a deep single and the ball was misplayed in center as another runner crossed the plate allowing Miller to take third. Kennadie Goth reached on an error by the pitcher which setup Bailey Brownfield's two RBI rocket double that bounced off the wall in centerfield.

Huck only allowed one baserunner over her final two innings of work to seal the game. Huck (4-8) pitched her best conference game of the year and allowed only two earned runs while scattering seven hits and not allowing any walks. She did not allow an extra base hit and struck out two. Sydney Stefanik (4-6) was tagged with the loss for the Broncos and went 5.1 innings allowing six hits, five runs with one walk and two strikeouts.

Brenna Brownfield was 2-for-4 and Megan Turner was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Game 2: Kent State 4, Western Michigan 1

The Broncos scored first again in the nightcap on a solo homer from Logan Carter. Starting pitcher Andrea Scali was dominant again and held strong until the magical sixth inning.

Miller reached on an error to begin the sixth and was sacrificed to third by a perfectly place Goth bunt. Bailey Brownfield stepped to the plate and stroked a laser single to center to tie the game at one. Brenna Brownfield followed with a triple off the base of the wall and scored pinch runner Brooklyn Whitt from first. Cegledy then tripled to the right field wall to plate another run.

Miller then shot her second homer of the year to center to give Kent State a comfortable 4-1 lead.

Scali (11-6) earned her third complete game victory of the week and allowed just four hits and one earned run. She struck out 10 after striking out 12 yesterday. Jordan Kurth (3-5) took the loss for the Broncos and went 5.1 innings and allowed two earned runs. Reilly Galloway went the final 1.2 frames and allowing an earned run on two hits.

Bailey Brownfield had another multi-hit game and went 2-for-3.

Up Next

Kent State travels to Ohio to round out the three-game midweek series on Wednesday, April 10 with first pitch schedule for 2 p.m.

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