Kent State Rallies in Seventh to Earn Wagon Wheel Series Win

Sunday, March 26

Akron, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

8-17, 3-2

Akron

14-11, 2-3

Kent State

Akron

Photo by: Nate Manley

Kent State Rallies in Seventh to Earn Wagon Wheel Series Win

3/26/2023 4:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – A leadoff home run by senior Julia Mazanec tied it in the top of the seventh and freshman Bri Despines stole home for the winning run as Kent State defeated Akron, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon. The victory secured the series for Kent State, which now leads 8.5-0.5 in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings.

The Golden Flashes (8-17, 3-2 MAC) played from behind for the third game in a row, as the Zips led 3-0 after two innings of play at Lee R. Jackson Field.

Kent State loaded the bases in the top of the third and sent the go-ahead run to the plate, but Akron pitcher Hayley Croyle was able to get a routine fly ball to the outfield to escape.

Redshirt senior Alexandria Whitmore collected her second hit of the day in the top of the fourth, this one a double to center field. Junior Jade Ramer executed a sacrifice bunt that allowed Whitmore to advance to third base. A passed ball then allowed Whitmore to score and make it 3-1.

Small ball once again paid dividends in the top of the sixth, as sophomore Delaney Robeson started the frame with a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt by junior Madison Hershberger. An error then allowed Robeson to score.

Mazanec started the top of the seventh with her second home run of the season to tie it at 3-3. Despines and junior Emily Lippe followed with walks, prompting a pitching change. Robeson welcomed the reliever with a single to left field, which loaded the bases.

After the third consecutive ball outside the zone to Hershberger, Despines made a break towards the plate and stole home for a 4-3 lead. Hershberger earned a walk to load the bases again, but the next three batters were retired.

Redshirt senior Anilese Kelly entered to toss the bottom of the seventh. After allowing a leadoff infield single, Kelly recorded back-to-back field's choice outs and then got a ground ball to end the game and earn her first save of the season.

Freshman Macy Irelan (5-6) totaled five strikeouts and allowed three runs in six innings for the Flashes.

Kent State will play a mid-week three-game series at Central Michigan, with a single game scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28 and a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29.