Softball Earns First MAC Series Win

Wednesday, April 6

Kent, Ohio

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

11-18, 3-8

Central Michigan

14-15, 5-3

Central Michigan

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

4/6/2022 4:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the third inning by sophomores Emily Lippe and Madison Hershberger helped Kent State defeat Central Michigan, 6-3, in a Mid-American Conference series rubber match Wednesday at the Diamond at Dix.

The Golden Flashes (11-18, 3-8 MAC) totaled nine hits with three players posting multi-hit games. Hershberger had a career-best three hits and scored two runs to lead the way, while Lippe and junior Julia Mazanec added two hits each. Both of Lippe' hits went for extra bases, as she doubled to leadoff the second inning.

Central Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. After allowing a double to the leadoff hitter, redshirt senior Andrea Scali struck out consecutive batters and followed by getting a harmless ground ball to third base. A low throw to first extended the inning, however, and aggressive baserunning allowed the Chippewa on second base to come home and score.

The Flashes' bats got going in the bottom of the third following an error that would have ended the frame. Mazanec lined a single to center field and Madyson Cole battled to draw a walk to load the bases. Lippe quickly cleared them, blasting the second pitch she saw to left field for a grand slam. Hershberger followed with a line drive homer to right field and a 5-1 lead.

Central Michigan got one run back with a solo homer in the top of the fourth.

Kent State scored again in the fifth. Hershberger singled for her third hit of the day and advanced to third on a double by freshman Savannah Wing. An error by the shortstop on a ball struck by sophomore Alex Fiske allowed Hershberger to safely run the final 60 feet and touch the plate to make it 6-2.

The Chippewas scored once in the seventh but were unable to bring the tying run at the plate.

Scali (3-7) earned her second victory of the series, totaling eight strikeouts while allowing two earned runs over six innings. Sophomore Jessica LeBeau (3-9) inherited a pair of runners in the top of the seventh and retired all three batters she faced, ending the game with a big strikeout.

Kent State will take a break from conference action and travel to Fordham for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 9 before visiting Roberts Morris for a single game on Tuesday, April 12.