Kent State Falls to Toledo in First Game at Devine Diamond

Friday, April 14

Kent, Ohio

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

10-26, 5-9

Toledo

15-21, 8-10

Toledo

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Falls to Toledo in First Game at Devine Diamond

4/14/2023 6:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State softball team lost the first game of the season played on the new field turf at Devine Diamond, 6-4, to Toledo on Friday afternoon.

The Rockets got the scoring started in the top of the second inning, pushing a run across the plate with two singles and a double. Freshman Macy Irelan then retired the next two batters to leave a pair of runners stranded in scoring position.

Junior Emily Lippe helped the Golden Flashes answer in the bottom of the second, starting the frame with a single. Freshman Bekah Zachrich followed with a walk, and freshman Reagan Schultz brought home pinch runner Sydney Shammo to tie it on a single to center field. Another walk and wild pitch moved a runner to third, and junior Jade Ramer followed with a sac fly deep down the left field line for a 2-1 lead.

Toledo tied it with a solo homer in the third inning.

Sophomore Savannah Wing put Kent State back ahead, 4-2, with a two-run shot in the fourth inning.

A pair of home runs in the top of the fifth allowed the Rockets to take a 6-4 lead.

The Flashes threatened in the sixth after sophomore Delaney Robeson started the frame with a single and Lippe was then hit by a pitch. The next two batters were struck out, but Wing reached base for the third time via a walk to load the bases before Toledo was able to record the third out to take a two-run lead into the final inning.

Senior Julia Mazanec started the seventh with a bunt single, but the Flashes were unable to advance her past first base. Mazanec led Kent State with two hits in the game.

Irelan allowed two runs on six hits over four innings inside the circle. Anilese Kelly (4-11) tossed three innings and had two strikeouts while allowing four runs on three hits.

The Flashes (10-26, 5-9 MAC) and Rockets will play a doubleheader on Saturday to finish the series. First pitch at Devine Diamond is scheduled for 1 p.m.