Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Beat Broncos in Friday Doubleheader
4/21/2023 8:53:00 PM | Softball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Timely home runs helped Kent State defeat host Western Michigan in both games of a Mid-American Conference softball doubleheader on Friday.
A solo shot by sophomore Delaney Robeson provided the winning run in a 2-1 victory to start the twinbill, while redshirt senior Alexandria Whitmore and redshirt freshman Abbie Wilfing both hit three-run homers in the nightcap, as the Golden Flashes (12-27, 7-10 MAC) scored the most runs in a game this season and won 11-4
Whitmore totaled five hits and three runs on the day. Two of her hits went for extra bases and she recorded three RBIs. Robeson had three hits and also drove in three runs.
Game 1: Kent State 2, Western Michigan 1
The Broncos grabbed a 1-0 lead on a double and single in the bottom of the third inning.
A wild pitch on a swinging third strike allowed Alexandria Whitmore to reach first base and extended the top of the fifth. Julia Mazanec followed with a double to right field and Whitmore raced all the way around to tie it 1-1.
Macy Irelan retired the side in the bottom of the fifth, and Delaney Robeson crushed the first pitch in the top of the sixth over the wall in left field for a 2-1 lead.
Western Michigan recorded two singles in the sixth and seventh innings but failed to advance a runner beyond second base.
Irelan (6-10) fanned three batters without issuing any walks in a complete game victory.
Game 2: Kent State 11, Western Michigan 4
Trailing 1-0 after two innings, the Golden Flashes scored six runs on four hits in the top of the third.
Jade Ramer drew a walk and moved to third on a double by Alexandria Whitmore. Delaney Robeson brought them both home with a single up the middle. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases, and Emily Lippe drove Robeson in with a groundout to the right side for the second out of the frame. Abbie Wilfing was then entered as a pinch hitter and blasted her first collegiate home run to make it 6-1.
A walk and wild pitch placed a runner in scoring position with two outs in the top of the fourth, and Savannah Wing delivered a RBI single down the left field line for a 7-1 lead.
Whitmore launched her first home run as a Flash in the top of the fifth to make it a 10-1 game.
Down to their final out, the Broncos put together four consecutive hits to get within 10-4 and send the game to the sixth inning.
Kent State scored a final run in the sixth, as Bri Despines crossed home plate after a walk and fielding error by the left fielder following a single by Bekah Zachrich.
Anilese Kelly (5-12) recorded seven strikeouts over six innings to earn the win. Macy Irelan tossed the final inning and had three strikeouts.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will go for its first MAC series sweep when it plays Western Michigan Saturday in a single game scheduled for 1 p.m.
