Kent State University
27-26, 23-16
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Western Michigan
15-37, 11-27
Kent State Softball Finishes Third in 2021 MAC Standings
5/16/2021 6:27:00 PM | Softball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State sent the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the rally came up short in a 6-3 setback to Western Michigan in the season finale at the Diamond at Dix on Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Flashes (27-26, 23-16 MAC) placed third in the Mid-American Conference standings and have posted eight consecutive top-four finishes, which is a streak that is six seasons longer than any other school. Continuing this streak is a remarkable feat considering that reigning MAC Pitcher of the Andrea Scali was lost for the season during the second inning of the opener, leaving Kent State with a pitching staff that had just eight innings of experience at the collegiate level. Reigning MAC Player of the Year Brenna Brownfield was unable to play after the second conference weekend, and two additional starters were kept out of the lineup for at least 10 MAC contests.
Kent State entered the final day of the season having won its previous five games but fell behind by four or more runs for the third time in the past six contests.
Western Michigan got on the board in the top of the second on a walk, sacrifice bunt and double. The Broncos added three in the third on a home run, single, double, sacrifice bunt and infield single.
With the help of a rambunctious home crowd, the Flashes built momentum in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore Julia Mazanec collected Kent State's first hit of the day with a single up the middle and moved to third on a double by senior Kaitlyn Miller. Junior Megan Turner followed with a single to left field, scoring Mazanec. Miller was able to score on a sacrifice fly by senior Alexis Taube. Senior Carlee Selle blooped a single to shallow right field for the fourth hit in the frame, but a pop-up ended the threat.
Another home run, a hit batter and a throwing error on a bunt gave the Broncos a 6-2 lead in the sixth.
Miller and Turner started the bottom half of the inning with singles. The next three batters were retired, however, to halt a potential rally.
Senior Kristyn Eckl hit a single back up the middle to begin the bottom of the seventh and was replaced at first base by freshman Jessica LeBeau. Following a pop-up, senior Kennadie Goth flew down the line for an infield hit. Down to the final out, Miller collected her third hit of the day with a single through the right side to bring LeBeau home from second and the tying run to the plate. Turner was unable to provide one final clutch hit and popped out to the third baseman to end the game.
Jessica LeBeau (14-13) went the distance in the circle, striking out five and allowing five earned runs. LeBeau became the fourth freshman in Kent State history to record 200 strikeouts on Saturday and finished the season with 207 punchouts.
Be sure to follow Kent State Softball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sydney Stefanick (5-9)
L: LeBeau, Jessica (14-13)
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Batting:
2B: Kaylen Glenfield 1 ; Sophia Ehlers 1
HR: Sophia Ehlers 1 ; Jordyn Swinehart 1
RBI: Sydney Stefanick 1 ; Alyssa Kramer 1 ; Sophia Ehlers 2 ; Jordyn Swinehart 1
SH: Sydney Stefanick 1 ; Rissa Bajusz 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mackenzie Swinehart 1 ; Kaylen Glenfield 1 ; Alyssa Kramer 1 ; Sophia Ehlers 1 ; Jordyn Swinehart 2
HBP: Jordyn Swinehart 1
Batting:
2B: Miller, Kaitlyn 1
RBI: Miller, Kaitlyn 1 ; Turner, Megan 1 ; Taube, Alexis 1
SF: Taube, Alexis 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mazanec, Julia 1 ; Miller, Kaitlyn 1 ; LeBeau, Jessica 1
HBP: Kerschner, Sabrina 1
