Kent State Drops Series Finale at NIU

Sunday, March 28

DeKalb, Ill.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

9-12, 6-2

Northern Illinois

7-15, 2-6

Kent State

Northern Illinois

Photo by: Sue Eckl

3/28/2021 4:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. – Kent State pushed four runs across the plate in the first inning but was unable to hold on and complete the Mid-American Conference series sweep of Northern Illinois, falling 7-5 Sunday afternoon at Mary M. Bell Field.

The Golden Flashes (9-12, 6-2 MAC) collected nine hits in the game, failing to reach double-digits for the first time during league play. Seniors Kaitlyn Miller, Brenna Brownfield and Alexis Taube led the way with two hits apiece. All three recorded hits in the top of the first inning to help Kent State open a 4-0 lead. Miller beat out a chopper over the pitcher's head and moved to second on a walk drawn by junior Brooklyn Whitt. Brownfield then roped a double to left field, scoring Miller. Taube followed with a triple to the warning track in right field to bring in two more runs and scored on a groundout by senior Carlee Selle. Junior Megan Turner drew a walk and senior Olivia Sborlini and sophomore Julia Mazanec added singles to load the bases, but the Flashes were unable to add to the lead.

Northern Illinois tied it in the third inning with four runs on four hits and an error, but Kent State answered with a run in the top of the fourth. Miller singled to center and once again moved to second when Whitt walked. Brownfield drove her in with a single to center to make it 5-4.

The Huskies put another crooked number on the board in the bottom of the fourth. A leadoff double was followed by a home run to go ahead 6-5. Another double and a single later in the frame plated another run.

Turner drew her second walk of the game to start the fifth but was retired on a double-play ball hit back to the pitcher. The Flashes put two runners aboard in the sixth but could not score and were retired in order in the seventh.

Freshman Jessica LeBeau (6-6) allowed four earned runs in three innings. Sophomore Morgan Bowers had one strikeout and allowed one run over the final three innings.

Kent State returns to the Diamond at Dix next weekend to host Ohio in four-game series.