Miller Continues to Swing Hot Bat Saturday at Miami

Saturday, May 8

Oxford, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

Kent State University

22-24, 18-14

Miami

39-8, 29-2

KENT STATE

Miami

Photo by: Sue Eckl

Miller Continues to Swing Hot Bat Saturday at Miami

5/8/2021 9:55:00 PM | Softball

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

OXFORD, Ohio – Senior Kaitlyn Miller extended her hitting streak to nine games with five hits on Saturday afternoon, as Kent State lost both games of a doubleheader against first-place Miami, 3-1 and 6-4.

The Golden Flashes (22-25, 18-15 MAC) equaled the RedHawks in hits, 15-15, but a triple by sophomore Julia Mazanec was the lone hit that went for extra bases. Meanwhile, Miami hit four home runs and five doubles.

Senior Kristyn Eckl led Kent State with two RBIs, driving in a pair with a single in her lone plate appearance.

Game 1: Miami 3, Kent State 1
After allowing two runs in the first inning, the Golden Flashes cut their deficit in half in the top of the second. Alexandria Whitmore placed a bunt down the third base line and sprinted all the way to third on a throwing error. Julia Mazanec followed with a single back up the middle to score Whitmore.

Kent State loaded the bases with only one out in the third inning, but Miami ace Courtney Vierstra was able to escape the frame with the lead.

The RedHawks hit a solo homer in the fifth inning for the final run.

Kaitlyn Miller led the Flashes with a pair of hits.

Gabbie Sherman (7-11) allowed three runs on four hits over five innings. Morgan Bowers surrendered one hit during her one inning of relief.

Game 2: Miami 6, Kent State 4
Trailing 6-0 after four innings, Kent State threatened to take the lead in the top of the fifth. Julia Mazanec started the frame with a triple and then scored on a single by Olivia Sborlini. Brooklyn Whitt and Kennadie Goth followed with singles to load the bases. Kristyn Eckl delivered a single through the right side of the infield to bring in a pair of runs. Kaitlyn Miller then reached on a fielder's choice in which the first out of the inning was recorded, but Goth scored to get within 6-4. Miami's second baseman showed terrific range to field a ball hit by Megan Turner and throw her out. Carlee Selle added the Flashes' sixth hit in the frame with a single, but Miller was thrown out at the plate.

After being retired in order in the sixth, Kent State got the potential tying run aboard on singles by Whitt and Miller in the top of the seventh but could not get the timely hit needed to tie the game.

Miller had a game-high three hits, while Sborlini and Whitt collected two hits apiece.

Jessica LeBeau (13-12) threw a complete game and totaled three strikeouts.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will host rival Akron for a doubleheader on Wednesday to conclude the season series. First pitch at the Diamond at Dix is scheduled for 1 p.m.