Brownfield’s Home Run Gives Kent State Split Saturday at Georgia Classic

Saturday, February 20

Athens, Ga.

2:15 p.m.

Kent State University

0-1

Georgia

4-2

Kent State

Georgia

Photo by: Tony Walsh

Brownfield’s Home Run Gives Kent State Split Saturday at Georgia Classic

2/20/2021 9:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score vs. #16 Georgia Box Score vs. Longwood

ATHENS, Ga. – Senior Brenna Brownfield launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning and freshman Jessica LeBeau recorded nine strikeouts in her collegiate debut as Kent State defeated Longwood, 2-1, in the nightcap Saturday at the Georgia Classic. Despite plating three in their first trip to the plate, the Golden Flashes lost 11-3 in six innings to 16th-ranked Georgia in the opener.

Kent State totaled 11 hits on the day. Senior Kennadie Goth, who reached safely in six of her seven plate appearances, led the way with three singles. Seniors Madyson Cole and Carlee Selle also had multi-hit days.

Four pitchers saw action in the circle and combined for 13 strikeouts over 12 innings.

Game 1: #16 Georgia 11, Kent State 3 (6 innings)
For the second year in a row, Kent State scored all of its runs against the Bulldogs in the game's opening frame. Kennadie Goth laid down a bunt on the game's first pitch for her first hit of the season. Brenna Brownfield was hit by a pitch and Kaitlyn Miller followed by ripping a shot to the gap in right-center that brought home Goth. Another hit batter loaded the bases with two outs, bringing Madyson Cole to the plate. Cole singled up the middle and a bad throw allowed Miller to score and make it 3-0.

The Flashes were unable to capitalize on a chance to add to the early lead in the second after Olivia Sborlini sent the ball just inside of first base for a double and Goth added a bloop into shallow left field to start the frame.

Sophomore Morgan Bowers (0-1) showed the composure of a veteran by getting out of a jam upon being thrust into her collegiate pitching debut in bottom of the second. Bowers, who had not been warming up, entered with the bases loaded and a 1-2 count to leadoff hitter Sydney Kuma, a .429 career hitter. After working the count full, Kuma watched strike three go by for the second out. The next batter also reached a full count before Bowers induced a popup the was caught by Sborlini.

Kent State left two runners on base for the third inning in a row and it remained 3-0 heading into the bottom of the third. Georgia's bats awoke in the frame, scoring six runs on four hits.

Two more homers in the fourth extended it to 9-3. A solo shot in the fifth and another to lead off the sixth brought the game to an end.

Kennadie Goth went 2-for-2 and drew two walks to lead the offense, which left 10 runners on base.

Three pitchers threw 1.2 innings each. Redshirt junior Andrea Scali had four strikeouts and did not allow a run.

Game 2: Kent State 2, Longwood 1
Brenna Brownfield launched a home run over the wall in left field in the bottom of the sixth inning to account for both of Kent State's runs. Kaitlyn Miller started the frame with a walk and also scored.

Jessica LeBeau (1-0) impressed in her Golden Flashes debut with nine strikeouts in a complete game victory. LeBeau struck out five in the first two innings and held the Lancers to five hits.

Longwood took a 1-0 lead with a solo homer by the second batter of the game.

Kent State stranded three runners in the first two innings but was unable to reach base until a two-out single up the middle by Sabrina Kerschner in the fifth. Kennadie Goth followed with a single, but Lancers ace Sydney Backstrom ended the threat with a strikeout.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play the same two opponents on Sunday. First pitch against Longwood is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. and the Flashes will try to upset host Georgia at 2 p.m.