Flashes Lose Late Lead to Georgia Tech in Saturday Softball Action

Saturday, February 25

Charlotte, N.C.

3:30 p.m.

Kent State University

4-8

Georgia Tech

7-6

Georgia Tech

Kent State

Photo by: Don Elrod

Flashes Lose Late Lead to Georgia Tech in Saturday Softball Action

2/25/2023 10:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kent State overcame a seven-run deficit to lead going into the seventh inning before falling to Georgia Tech, 9-8, in the first of two games at the Queen City Classic on Saturday. The Golden Flashes (4-9) then fell to host Charlotte in five innings, 10-0.

Senior Julia Mazanec and freshman Bri Despines led Kent State at the plate with three hits each. Sophomore Delaney Robeson had a team-high four RBIs on a grand slam against the Yellow Jackets.

Game 1: Georgia Tech 9, Kent State 8
Trailing 7-0, the Golden Flashes plated six runs in the bottom of the third inning. Brynn Libler started the rally with a single and moved to third on a double by Julia Mazanec. Bri Despines brought them both home with a single. Another single by Savannah Wing and walk drawn by Emily Lippe loaded the bases. Delaney Robeson then made it a 7-6 game with her first career grand slam.

Following a groundout, the Flashes loaded the bases once again. Georgia Tech made its second pitching change of the frame and escaped with the lead.

Kent State took its first lead of the game, 8-7, when Lippe hit a double off the wall in center field, scoring Mazanec and Despines in the bottom of the sixth.

The Yellow Jackets went back ahead with two runs on a single, triple and sac fly in the top of the seventh.

An error and back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the seventh loaded the bases. A pop-up and double play brought the game to an end.

Morgan Bowers (1-3) tossed three scoreless innings after entering to begin the fourth before allowing two runs in the seventh. Anilese Kelly got the start and recorded two strikeouts over three innings.

Game 2: Charlotte 10, Kent State 0 (5 innings)
Charlotte collected three extra-base hits in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. A three-run shot in the second helped the host extend it to 7-0.

Kent State placed a runner in scoring position in the top of third on two-out singles by Julia Mazanec and Bri Despines but was unable to bring a run across the plate.

The 49ers added two more in the third and one in the fourth.

Macy Irelan (1-3) and Anilese Kelly had one strikeout each, as the pitching staff allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will look to avenge the loss to Georgia Tech when the teams conclude weekend action at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.