Kent State University
6-10, 0-1
Miami
8-10, 1-0
Long Ball Downs Flashes in MAC Opener
3/19/2022 6:27:00 PM | Softball
OXFORD, Ohio – Kent State pitchers allowed five home runs Saturday afternoon in a 10-2 loss at Miami in the Mid-American Conference opener.
The Golden Flashes (6-10) made RedHawks starting pitcher Courtney Vierstra work in top of the first, beginning with a seven-pitch walk drawn by senior Brooklyn Whitt. The speedster then swiped second base to move into scoring position before back-to-back strikeouts and a fly ball to center ended the frame.
Redshirt senior Andrea Scali struck out the first Miami batter in the bottom of the first, but Karli Spaid followed with a home run. A walk and stolen base followed to put a runner in scoring position, and Kate Kobayashi came around to make it 2-0 on a single to right field. The RedHawks added a two-run homer in the second inning.
Kent State took advantage of control problems by Vierstra in the top of the third, loading the bases on two walks and a hit batter. Senior Chloe Cruz delivered a single to bring in a pair and get within 4-2.
Miami got both runs back with a two-homer in the bottom of the third and led 6-2 after a scoreless fourth inning.
The RedHawks added a three-run homer in the fifth. The next two batters were retired before Chloe Parks homered to give the hosts the walk-off win.
Scali (0-5) allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two in one inning. Freshman Kylie Ringler recorded four strikeouts and allowed six runs over 3.2 innings in relief.
Kent State and Miami will conclude the series on Sunday, March 20. The doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Courtney Vierstra (1-6)
L: Scali, Andrea (0-5)
Batting:
RBI: Cruz, Chloe 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Whitmore, Alexandria 1 ; Robertson, Dylan 1
SB: Whitt, Brooklyn 1
HBP: Wing, Savannah 1
Batting:
2B: Holly Blaska 1
HR: Allie Cummins 1 ; Karli Spaid 1 ; Maggie Murphy 1 ; Adriana Barlow 1 ; Chloe Parks 1
RBI: Allie Cummins 2 ; Karli Spaid 1 ; Lily Wilmot 1 ; Maggie Murphy 3 ; Adriana Barlow 2 ; Chloe Parks 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Allie Cummins 1 ; Karli Spaid 1 ; Kate Kobayashi 1 ; Lily Wilmot 1 ; Noelle Reid 1 ; Maggie Murphy 1 ; Holly Blaska 1 ; Adriana Barlow 1 ; Chloe Parks 2
SB: Kate Kobayashi 1
