Kent State University
3-4
South Alabama
8-7
LeBeau’s Two-Hitter Leads Flashes to Split with South Alabama
3/6/2021 9:50:00 PM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Freshman Jessica LeBeau recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts to lead Kent State to a 2-0 win in the first game of a doubleheader against South Alabama on Saturday at the Easton T-Town Showdown. The Jaguars took the second game, 10-3.
LeBeau's 15 punchouts are the most by a Golden Flashes freshman since Kylie Reynolds fanned 17 against Toledo on March 31, 2007.
The Golden Flashes (3-5) were led offensively by senior Kennadie Goth, who totaled three hits and has collected a base hit in all eight games this season. Senior Kaitlyn Miller and redshirt senior Kristyn Eckl launched Kent State's second and third home runs of the season.
Game 1: Kent State 2, South Alabama 0
The speed of Kennadie Goth aided the Golden Flashes in scoring in the top of the first inning. Goth bunted the first pitch of the game down the third base line and advanced all the way to third on a throwing error. Brenna Brownfield brought her home with a bunt single towards the right side of the infield.
Kaitlyn Miller homered in the top of the sixth to make it 2-0.
Jessica LeBeau (2-2) threw her first collegiate shutout with 15 strikeouts and allowed just two hits.
Game 2: South Alabama 10, Kent State 3
A single, stolen base, throwing error and sacrifice fly allowed the Jaguars to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Kent State starter Gabbie Sherman kept them off the board for the next two innings, but South Alabama plated six in the fourth.
The Golden Flashes got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on Kristyn Eckl's first career home run, also scoring pinch runner Julia Mazanec to make it 7-2.
South Alabama added a run in the top of the fifth on a solo homer, but Kent State got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. Sabrina Kerschner singled to start the frame and moved to third on a double off the bat of Brooklyn Whitt. Kerschner then scored on a groundout to the shortstop by Brenna Brownfield.
The Jaguars scored twice more in the sixth to make it 10-3.
Kennadie Goth and Carlee Selle collected two hits each to lead the offense. It was the third multi-hit game of the season for Goth.
Sherman (0-2) had three strikeouts and allowed six earned runs over 5.2 innings in the circle.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play its final game at the Easton T-Town Showdown against Northern Iowa on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: LeBeau, Jessica (2-2)
L: Lackie, Olivia (6-3)
Batting:
HR: Miller, Kaitlyn 1
RBI: Brownfield, Brenna 1 ; Miller, Kaitlyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Goth, Kennadie 1 ; Miller, Kaitlyn 1
SB: Taube, Alexis 1 ; Sborlini, Olivia 1
CS: Brownfield, Brenna 1
HBP: Sborlini, Olivia 1
PO: Sborlini, Olivia 1
Base Running:
SB: Nichols, Caroline 1
HBP: Hughen, Allie 1
