Super Seniors Lead Flashes Softball to Rivalry Victory

Tuesday, April 26

Kent, Ohio

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

17-23, 8-12

Akron

17-27, 12-11

Akron

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Super Seniors Lead Flashes Softball to Rivalry Victory

4/26/2022 6:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Big swings by Brenna Brownfield and Madyson Cole and excellent pitching by Andrea Scali provided a memorial final Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest for the trio of super seniors, as the Kent State softball team beat rival Akron, 5-2, Tuesday afternoon at the Diamond at Dix.

With the victory, the Golden Flashes (17-23, 8-12 MAC) captured their fourth Mid-American Conference series of the season and moved to just four games out of fourth place in the league standings.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Cole launched her seventh home run of the season to even the score.

An error and sac bunt to start the bottom of the sixth placed the go-ahead run in scoring position as Cole walked to the plate. Fearful the slugger would provide another game-changing swing, the Zips opted to intentionally walk Cole to setup a potential force out at all three bases. Freshman Savannah Wing followed with a single up the middle to load the bases.

Head coach Eric Oakley then turned to Brownfield, who has been limited to pinch-hit duty since returning on April 15. After watching two pitches go by well below the strike zone, Brownfield crushed a pitch over the right field wall for her first home run against the Zips and first grand slam as a Flash.

"Great moment, not just for Brenna, but for the team," Oakley said. "She's had ups and downs throughout her five seasons but has brought positive energy to the field every day. For her to have that moment in the rivalry game goes beyond words. It's why we love sports."

Scali (6-9) bounced back from a tough outing against Akron a month ago and delivered one of her best starts of the season. After allowing a run in the third inning, the hard-throwing righty held the Zips hitless until a solo homer to lead off the top of the seventh. Scali finished with six strikeouts and allowed just five hits in a complete game victory.

Kent State will host a three-game series against Western Michigan this weekend, with the opening game scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Between games of Saturday's 1 p.m. doubleheader, the Flashes will celebrate upcoming facility upgrades and the re-naming of its home field to the Devine Diamond. We invite you to join us in celebration of longtime Kent State Athletics ambassador and supporter Judy Devine and the continued impact her generosity will have on women's athletics and gender equity.