Flashes Drop Series Finale to Rockets in Extra Innings

Sunday, April 24

Toledo, Ohio

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

16-23, 7-12

Toledo

10-33, 3-18

Kent State

Toledo

Photo by: Gabby Kingston

Flashes Drop Series Finale to Rockets in Extra Innings

4/24/2022 4:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

TOLEDO, Ohio – Kent State plated six runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie it up but was unable to record its first Mid-American Conference softball series sweep, falling 7-6 in eight innings at Toledo on Sunday afternoon.

The Rockets took a 4-0 lead on a three-run homer in the first and solo shot in the second. The side should have been retired in the third, but an error extended the frame. Toledo delivered three two-out hits in a row to make it 6-0 and prompt the Golden Flashes' second pitching change of the game.

Sophomore Jessica LeBeau was terrific in a pressure relief appearance, entering with the potential game-winning run standing at first base, but needed just four pitches to retire the reigning MAC Player of the Year and end the threat. Following a single and walk in the fourth, she sat down 11 batters in a row heading into extra innings.

Kent State (16-23, 7-12 MAC) did not have a hit until a double by LeBeau in the top of the fifth. The Flashes were unable to advance her, however, and still trailed by six.

A pair of walks on only nine pitches to start the sixth gave Kent State multiple base runners for the first time. Sophomore Emily Lippe quickly cleared the bases with her fifth home run of the week, this one a blast to straightaway center field.

The next batter was retired, but freshman Savannah Wing singled and sophomore Alex Fiske doubled to the base of the wall to bring the tying run to the plate with just one out. A fly ball to right field followed for the second out, but junior Autumn Acord jumped on the first pitch she saw, dropping a single in front of a sliding leftfielder that brought in both runs.

Senior Brooklyn Whitt led off the seventh with a single to center and then stole second to move into scoring position with one out. She was then tagged at third on an unconventional double-play to end the frame.

LeBeau (5-10) struck out all three Rockets she faced in the bottom of the seventh, but Kent State was retired in order in the top of the eighth. An error on a ball hit back to the circle gave Toledo its first base runner since the fourth inning in the bottom of the eighth. LeBeau regrouped and got outs on a sac bunt and pop-up, but a single to shallow left field brought the winning run home. The Hartville native had seven strikeouts and allowed just one unearned run on two hits over five innings of work. LeBeau was also the only Flash with multiple hits in the game.

Kent State will host Akron for the final game of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge on Tuesday, April 26. First pitch at the Diamond at Dix is scheduled for 3 p.m.