Pitching, Turner’s Blasts Lead Flashes to Split with Buffalo

Tuesday, April 20

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

12-18, 8-8

Buffalo

10-24, 8-11

Buffalo

Kent State

Photo by: Gabby Kingston

Pitching, Turner’s Blasts Lead Flashes to Split with Buffalo

4/20/2021 8:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Junior Megan Turner smashed a pair of home runs while sophomore Gabbie Sherman and freshman Jessica LeBeau were terrific in the circle, as Kent State split an afternoon doubleheader with Buffalo at the Diamond at Dix.

The Golden Flashes (13-18, 9-8 MAC) dropped the first game of the day, 2-1, and came back to win the nightcap by a score of 10-3.

Turner led the offense with three hits and five RBIs. Junior Sabrina Kerschner also had three hits on the day, and freshman Emily Lippe delivered a key three-run single in the nightcap.

Sherman and LeBeau both tossed complete games, combining for 14 strikeouts to four walks and allowing just two earned runs.

Game 1: Buffalo 2, Kent State 1
Jessica LeBeau (8-9) pitched well enough to win, totaling 10 strikeouts and holding the Bulls to two runs on a pair of solo homers, but was tagged with a tough loss in her third consecutive start.

Kent State was unable to get hits in key situations and stranded nine runners on base, including at least one in six of seven innings. Alexis Taube scored the Golden Flashes' lone run of the game to tie it at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Taube and Carlee Selle got the frame started by drawing full count walks. A groundout to the right side allowed both to advance into scoring position. Olivia Sborlini then laid down a sac bunt to allow Taube to score, but was then caught stealing, and pinch runner Jade Ramer was left at third after a pop-up on the infield.

It remained tied until Buffalo hit a home run in the top of the sixth.

After the first batter in the bottom of the sixth was retired, Taube and Selle tried to spark another scoring opportunity with a single and walk, respectively. The next two Kent State hitters struck out to end the frame.

Mistakes by the Bulls gave the Flashes a chance to tie it in the seventh, as an error and passed ball allowed Sabrina Kerschner to reach second base with two outs. Ball four to Brooklyn Whitt got away from the catcher, and Kerschner scurried to third. Buffalo starting pitcher Ally Mercano was able to induce a pop-up to bring the game to a close.

Game 2: Kent State 10, Buffalo 3
A five-run bottom of the third gave the Golden Flashes the lead, and home runs by Megan Turner in the next two innings helped put the game out of reach.

Kent State scored in its first trip to the plate in the nightcap, as Kennadie Goth reached on an infield single. After a sac bunt attempt was popped back to the pitcher, Goth moved to second on a groundout by Brooklyn Whitt. Turner followed with a shot up the middle to bring Goth home and make it 1-0.

A dropped fly ball that would have ended the top of the third allowed Buffalo to tie it up. The next batter homered to make it 3-1.

The first four Flashes reached safely in the bottom of the third, with Turner earning an RBI after being hit by a pitch. The next two batters were unable to produce runs, but Emily Lippe came through with the timely hit Kent State had previously been unable to get, sending a shot over the rightfielder's head that scored all three runners. A walk and single by Jade Ramer loaded the bases once again, and Goth earned a walk to make it 6-3.

In the fourth, a solo homer by Turner and RBI single by Chloe Cruz extended the lead to 8-3. Turner launched a two-run shot in the fifth for her first career multi-home run game. She totaled five RBIs in the game on 3-for-3 hitting.

Goth and Sabrina Kerschner added two hits apiece, while Kiley Lewandowski, Cruz and Ramer all collected their first collegiate hit.

Gabbie Sherman (4-7) went the distance in the circle, recording four strikeouts and not allowing an earned run.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will visit Bowling Green this weekend for a four-game series.