Softball Hits Three Homers Saturday at Mizzou Tournament

Friday, March 12

Columbia, Mo.

1:30 p.m.

Kent State University

2-9

Missouri

16-4

Kent State

Missouri

Photo by: Sue Eckl

Softball Hits Three Homers Saturday at Mizzou Tournament

3/13/2021 6:37:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score 3

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Seniors Brenna Brownfield and Alexis Taube and redshirt senior Olivia Sborlini all homered as Kent State completed play on Saturday at the Mizzou Tournament.

The Golden Flashes (3-10) started the day with a 5-0 setback to Drake and followed with an 11-4 loss to Iowa State. Kent State then resumed play from Friday's contest against No. 17/18 Missouri with two outs in the bottom of the third inning and the host Tigers leading 15-0. The Flashes got a two-run homer from Taube and outscored Missouri, 2-0, on the day.

Game 1: Drake 5, Kent State 0
Jessica LeBeau struck out the side in the bottom of the first inning but allowed a bunt single and single down the left field line to the first two batters in the second. After striking out the next two hitters, LeBeau surrendered a single to center in a full count as Drake took a 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs added a run on a walk and pair of singles in the fourth and extended it to 5-0 with three runs in the sixth.

Kent State moved a runner to second base for the first time since the opening frame when pinch runner Jade Ramer advanced on a single by Carlee Selle with one out in the seventh. A fielder's choice and strikeout ended the threat, and the Golden Flashes were unable to score a run for the first game this season.

LeBeau recorded eight strikeouts and allowed eight runs in a complete game effort in the circle.

Game 2: Iowa State 11, Kent State 4
The Cyclones scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Olivia Sborlini put the Flashes on the board with a solo home run in the third.

Iowa State answered with two home runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to extend it to 7-1.

Brenna Brownfield hit her second homer of the season in the top of the fourth, but the Cyclones plated three more in the bottom of the fourth to make it 10-2.

The Flashes rallied in the fifth, scoring twice to prevent the game from ending early. Alexis Taube and Megan Turner started the frame with singles. Following a strikeout and fielder's choice, Sabrina Kerschner delivered a clutch double to bring in both runners. The Cyclones struck for a run in the bottom of the fifth to account for the game's final run.

Madison Hershberger (0-1) made her first start in the circle and allowed four earned runs in one inning. Brownfield tossed three innings, allowing three runs. Jessica LeBeau did not surrender any runs over the final two innings.

Game 3: #17/18 Missouri 15, Kent State 2 (5 innings)
The Tigers struck for six runs in the first inning, one in the second and eight in the third prior to rain that suspended play on Friday.

Jessica LeBeau, who started the game on Friday but was removed after facing six hitters, returned to the circle when play resumed on Saturday. LeBeau walked the first Tiger of the day, but Carlee Selle made a strong throw to second base to catch the runner stealing and end the bottom of the third. The freshman was able to work out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth with two big strikeouts.

Kent State got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Alexis Taube hit a two-run homer that scored Madyson Cole, who reached with a double.

LeBeau (2-4) threw 1.1 innings total with three strikeouts and four earned runs. Gabbie Sherman allowed six runs in 2.2 innings.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will open the 40-game Mid-American Conference schedule next weekend by hosting Toledo for a four-game series at the Diamond at Dix.