Kent State University
16-18, 12-8
Bowling Green
18-21, 10-14
Softball Splits Sunday Doubleheader at BG
4/25/2021 7:50:00 PM | Softball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Runs were at a premium on Sunday afternoon as Kent State and Bowling Green split a doubleheader at Meserve Field. The Golden Flashes won the first game, 2-1, before falling 1-0 in the weekend finale.
Kent State (16-19, 12-9 MAC) once again received stellar pitching performances from freshman Jessica LeBeau and sophomore Gabbie Sherman. After shutting the Falcons out in back-to-back games on Friday, they limited their host to just two runs on 11 hits over 13 innings. The duo combined for nine strikeouts and only one walk.
Junior Sabrina Kerschner led the Flashes with four hits and had their only extra-base hit of the day, a double in the top of the first inning of the second game. Senior Kennadie Goth and junior Brooklyn Whitt had two hits each and scored Kent State's two runs.
Game 1: Kent State 2, Bowling Green 1
Kent State's speed helped score twice in the top of the third inning. Julia Mazanec sprinted to first base for a bunt single to get the frame started. Kennadie Goth followed with a bunt of her own, reaching safely on a throwing error that allowed Mazanec to move to third. Brooklyn Whitt made it three bunts in a row, but a close play at the plate went in the Falcons' favor, and Mazanec was called out. After a strikeout, Megan Turner snuck a bouncer through the left side of the infield to bring Goth home. Turner went to second on the throw to the plate, and Whitt came in to make it 2-0 on a throw to second base.
Bowling Green scored its lone run in the bottom of the fifth.
Jessica LeBeau (10-9) went the distance in the circle for the Golden Flashes, recording six strikeouts without walking any batters.
Game 2: Bowling Green 1, Kent State 0
Despite a series-best nine hits, the Golden Flashes were unable to push a run across the plate. They threatened in the top of the first, loading the bases with one out on a double by Sabrina Kerschner and back-to-back walks. The next two batters struck out to end the frame.
Gabbie Sherman (5-8) had her 16.2 scoreless innings streak come to an end in the bottom of the first, as Bowling Green collected three singles to take a 1-0 lead.
Kennadie Goth and Kerschner singled to start the third, but Kent State was unable to get a timely hit to tie the game.
Goth singled again in the top of the seventh. Down to the final out, Brooklyn Whitt sent a shot to center field. Goth was sent home on the hit, but a strong throw beat her to the plate for the final out.
Kerschner led the Flashes with three hits, tying her career-high.
Sherman had one strikeout and allowed five hits in four innings. Jessica LeBeau pitched two scoreless relief innings and had a pair of strikeouts.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will visit Buffalo for a doubleheader on Wednesday to complete the season series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: GOTTSHALL (13-8)
L: Sherman, Gabbie (5-8)
Batting:
2B: Kerschner, Sabrina 1
SH: Selle, Carlee 1
Batting:
RBI: DEES,S. 1
SH: McNULTY 1 ; MILLER,E. 1
SF: DEES,S. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: L'ESPERANCE 1
SB: L'ESPERANCE 1
HBP: DEES,S. 1
