LeBeau’s Arm Leads Flashes Saturday at Fordham

Saturday, April 9

Bronx, N.Y.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

12-18

Fordham

16-15

Kent State

Fordham

Photo by: Gabby Kingston

LeBeau’s Arm Leads Flashes Saturday at Fordham

4/9/2022 7:17:00 PM | Softball

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

BRONX, N.Y. – Sophomore Jessica LeBeau recorded nine strikeouts as Kent State defeated Fordham, 6-1, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The hosts earned a split by winning the second game, 2-0.

The Golden Flashes (12-19) received great contributions from the top of the lineup, as senior Brooklyn Whitt and fifth-year Madyson Cole collected three hits each and sophomore Madison Hershberger added a pair of singles.

LeBeau and redshirt junior Anilese Kelly both tossed complete games and combined to hold the Rams to a .208 team batting average.

Game 1: Kent State 6, Fordham 1
Four consecutive two-out hits in the top of the fifth inning put the Golden Flashes ahead 2-0. Brooklyn Whitt got it started with a double to right-center and used her speed to score on a single through the right side by Madison Hershberger. A blooper into shallow right field by Madyson Cole moved Hershberger into scoring position. Emily Lippe followed with a slow grounder to the right side. The second baseman was able to make a diving stop in the hole but was unable to secure the ball and Hershberger rounded third and scored.

Following an error and hit batter in the bottom of the first inning, starting pitcher Jessica LeBeau retired 11 consecutive Rams. Opposing starting pitcher Devon Miller recorded her team's first hit of the day with a solo home run to get within 2-1.

A single, walk and error loaded the bases for Fordham in the bottom of the sixth, but LeBeau was able to induce a routine ground ball to escape with the lead.

An error to start the top of the seventh helped Kent State break the game open. Sabrina Kerschner slapped a single passed the shortstop and Brooklyn Whitt was walked on four pitches to load the bases without any outs. Jade Ramer followed with an infield single to make it 3-1 and Cole added a sac fly to center field to bring in another run. Following a strikeout, Savannah Wing lined a double to the gap in right-center and two more runners crossed the plate.

Fordham was able to hit a pair of singles in its final chance to bat but was unable to score.

LeBeau (4-9) finished with nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits and one walk in a complete game victory.

Game 2: Fordham 2, Kent State 0
Making her first start in the circle since February 2020, Anilese Kelly recorded six strikeouts to match her career-high and kept the Rams off the scoreboard for the first 4.1 innings before back-to-back solo home runs put the hosts ahead 2-0. Kelly retired five of the final seven batters she faced to give Kent State's bats a chance to tie the game.

Brooklyn Whitt made a pinch-hit appearance with one out in the top of the seventh and singled to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Golden Flashes were unable to advance her.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will travel to Robert Morris for a single game on Tuesday, April 12 before returning to Mid-American Conference play with a three-game series at Northern Illinois next weekend.