Walk-Off Home Run Sets Up Softball Rivalry Rubber Match on Sunday

Friday, May 3

Kent, Ohio

11:00 a.m.

Kent State University

25-22, 10-15

Akron

23-28, 11-13

Akron

Kent State

Photo by: Brandon Lipinski

Walk-Off Home Run Sets Up Softball Rivalry Rubber Match on Sunday

5/3/2024 5:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KENT, Ohio – Solo home runs in the bottom of the seventh by sophomore Bri Despines and junior Savannah Wing gave the Kent State softball team a 9-8 walk-off victory over rival Akron in the second game of a doubleheader on Friday at Devine Diamond. The Zips posted a 9-4 victory in the opening game of the day.

The Golden Flashes (26-23, 11-15 MAC) totaled 20 hits on the day, including six for extra bases. Seven different players had multi-hit games.

Game 1: Akron 9, Kent State 4
Kent State took advantage of a couple Akron misplays to lead 2-0 after the first inning. An error and miscommunication on a bunt that went for a single placed runners on the corners after just two batters. Savannah Wing brought Alexandria Whitmore home with a sac fly for the first run of the day, as Bri Despines moved to third base. After a walk drawn by Julia Mazanec, Despines scored on a double steal.

The Zips scored the next five to take the lead before Megan Claerhout got the Golden Flashes within 5-4 with a two-run blast, her second home run of the season.

Akron added one run in the fifth and three in the sixth, while Kent State left five runners on base over the final three innings.

Brynn Libler, Emily Lippe and Carley Penner had two hits each to lead the Flashes.

Game 2: Kent State 9, Akron 8
Despite a grand slam in the top of the first, Kent State rallied to lead 5-4 at the end of the inning. The Golden Flashes' first five batters recorded hits and Brynn Libler drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Delaney Robeson brought in a pair with a single down the left field line to put Kent State ahead.

Akron went back ahead with two runs in the top of the third and added a single run in the top of the fourth to make it 7-5.

Infield singles by Robeson and Alexandria Whitmore started the bottom of the fourth. A dropped fly ball allowed Robeson to score, and Whitmore tied it on a double by Julia Mazanec.

The Zips went back ahead 8-7 in the top of the fifth.

While the Flashes were unable to record a hit in the fifth and sixth, big defensive plays prevented the deficit from growing. Whitmore made an outstanding catch on a line drive and tagged the runner who had strayed too far from third base for an unassisted double play in the top of the sixth. Bri Despines threw out a runner attempting to steal second to bring the top of the seventh to an end.

Despines then stepped to the plate to start the bottom of the seventh and crushed a pitch over the wall in right-center field to tie it up. After back-to-back outs, Savannah Wing fouled off the first three pitches she saw and then let a ball outside of the zone go by. Wing then clobbered pitch for the walk-off home run.

Ella Esterby (1-4) had two strikeouts over five innings to earn her first college victory.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State and Akron will finish the series at Devine Diamond on Sunday, May 5 at 1 p.m.

Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.