Whitt’s Walk-Off Double Provides Memorable 200th Career Win for Oakley

Saturday, April 3

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

10-13, 7-3

Ohio

10-9, 6-4

Ohio

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Whitt’s Walk-Off Double Provides Memorable 200th Career Win for Oakley

4/3/2021 8:40:00 PM | Softball

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

KENT, Ohio – Head coach Eric Oakley earned the 200th victory of his career in dramatic fashion on Saturday, as Kent State rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Ohio, 6-5, on a walk-off double by junior Brooklyn Whitt. The teams split Saturday's doubleheader at the Diamond at Dix, with the Bobcats winning 8-6 in the first game.

The Golden Flashes (11-13, 8-3 MAC) totaled 20 hits on the day and were led the by the one through three spots in the batting order. Senior Kennadie Goth went 5-for-11 and scored three runs, including the nightcap's winner, from the leadoff spot. Whitt was 3-for-6 with two doubles, while senior Alexis Taube had a team-high five RBIs.

Game 1: Ohio 8, Kent State 6
The Golden Flashes fell behind 1-0 in the first inning for the second game in a row, as Ohio's Caroline Spacek homered in her first trip to the plate. The Bobcats added two more runs on three hits in the second to lead 3-0.

Kaitlyn Miller put the Flashes on the board in the bottom of the second with her first of two solo home runs.

Both teams scored two runs in the third and fourth innings to make it 5-3. In the third, Kennadie Goth singled up the middle, moved to third on a double by Brooklyn Whitt and crossed the plate when Alexis Taube doubled down the right field line. After Whitt was tagged at the plate for the second out of the frame, Taube was able to score on a single deep in the hole at shortstop. The first two batters reached safely in the fourth inning and then scored on a triple by Sabrina Kerschner.

Miller sent a full count pitch over the wall in straightaway center in the fifth to get Kent State within 7-6. The final seven Flashes were retired, however, and Ohio added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Gabbie Sherman (2-5) started in the circle and pitched 3.2 total innings. Sherman had one strikeout and allowed six runs on nine hits. Morgan Bowers tossed a terrific 3.1 innings in relief, retiring the final nine batters she faced and allowing two unearned runs on one hit with two strikeouts.

Game 2: Kent State 6, Ohio 5
After leading the entire game, a defensive miscue caused Kent State to fall behind, 5-4, in the top of the sixth inning. All three batters were retired in the bottom of the sixth, but the Flashes put together three hits in a row to start the seventh to earn their second walk-off victory in seven games at the Diamond at Dix this season.

The rally began when Sabrina Kerschner beat out a dribbler that deadened towards the third base side of the field. Speedster Kennadie Goth followed with a bunt single and stood on first base representing the winning run. Brooklyn Whitt then ripped a double to the right-center gap. The ball was mishandled and got away from the centerfielder, allowing Goth to race home all the way from first for the winning run.

Kent State's first three hitters also reached in the bottom of the first inning, resulting in a 3-0 lead. Singles by Goth and Whitt were followed by Alexis Taube's fifth home run of the season.

Ohio hit a solo homer in the second inning to make it 3-1. The Flashes got that run back in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to take advantage of an opportunity to break the game open. Taube stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. The senior hit the ball well to the right side of the field, but Ohio first baseman Caroline Spacek was able to make a diving stop and beat Taube to the bag for the second out and limit only one run to score.

Neither team was able to score again until the Bobcats hit a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to get within 4-3. A single and seemingly endless number of foul balls that extended counts and eventually turned into two walks loaded the bases in the sixth inning. Following a strikeout, Kent State appeared to get out of the jam with the lead intact, but an error allowed two Ohio runners two score and go ahead 6-5.

Seven Flashes batters in a row had been retired entering the bottom of the seventh when all three players who stepped to the plate recorded hits for the walk-off victory.

Kent State totaled 11 hits in the game. Goth went 3-for-3 to lead the way, while Whitt and Kerschner were both 2-for-3.

Jessica LeBeau (8-6) finished with 13 strikeouts, the most by a pitcher in a Mid-American Conference game this season. LeBeau allowed three earned runs in her ninth complete game of the season.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will host Ohio for the series finale Sunday at 12 p.m.