Kent State University
5-1
Delaware
0-6
Kent State Overpowers Delaware and Nicholls in Florida Sun
2/23/2018 9:09:00 PM | Softball
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla – The Kent State (6-1) bats were sizzling under the hot Florida sun as the Golden Flashes swept the day defeating Delaware, 8-0, and Nicholls, 5-1. On the day, the Flashes scored 13 runs and banged out 23 hits. Kent State is on a six-game winning streak for the first time since 2016 and has recorded ten or more hits in five straight games.
"We had solid pitching, timely hits and dependable defense," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "You can't ask for more than that."
Game 1: Kent State 8, Delaware 0 (Five Innings)
Kent State had many chances to score early in the game, but finally exploded for all eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Vanessa Vodan singled to shortstop to bring home Emily Dobbin for the first run of the inning. With the bases loaded Holly Speers blew the game open, ripping a double to the left center field gap which scored Vodan, Vanessa Scoarste and Maria Cegledy. Bailey Brownfield hit a fly ball that was booted by the Delaware centerfielder that brought Speers home for a 5-0 lead. The next batter, Allie Luther smashed her second home run of the year to dead center field to lead. 7-0. Pinch hitter Jade Williams sent a sacrifice fly to deep center to bring home Jen Cader for the 8-0 lead. Kent State sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning.
Madi Huck (4-0) was phenomenal inside the circle throwing five innings of shutout ball. She allowed three hits, with two walks and struck out six, while picking up her fourth win of the season.
Vodan was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Holly Speers had three RBIs in a 1-for-2 day at the plate.
Allie Luther was 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs.
Carlee Selle was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game.
Game 2: Kent State 5, Nicholls 1
Holly Speers sparked Kent State's offense in the third, rocketing a two-run bomb over the left field fence. The Colonels were quick to respond with a single-tally in their half of the frame on a double to left center field.
Kent State widened its lead to 3-1 in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Jen Cader.
In the sixth inning Huck came on in relief of Brenna Brownfield with runners on second and third with two outs and induced a groundout to end the Nicholls threat.
In the final frame the Flashes added two more insurance runs and Cader tallied another RBI groundout and Bailey Brownfield scored on a wild pitch.
Brenna Brownfield won her first career game, throwing 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits, one run and two walks. Madi Huck came out of the bullpen for the save, her first of the season, and allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2.1 innings.
Holly Speers was 4-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs.
In her first collegiate game, Kennadie Goth went 3-for-3 with a double.
Bailey Brownfield and Kaitlyn Miller were each 2-for-4 in the win.
Up Next
The Golden Flashes will continue competition in the EMU Madeira Beach Tournament tomorrow, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. against Middle Tennessee and 6 p.m. vs. Albany.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Huck, Madi (4-0)
L: Piening (0-3)
Base Running:
CS: Kolofer 1
Batting:
2B: Speers, Holly 1 ; Selle, Carlee 1
HR: Luther, Allie 1
RBI: Vodan, Vanessa 1 ; Speers, Holly 3 ; Luther, Allie 2 ; Williams, Jade 1
SF: Williams, Jade 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vodan, Vanessa 1 ; Scoarste, Vanessa 1 ; Speers, Holly 1 ; Brownfield, Bailey 1 ; Luther, Allie 1 ; Cader, Jen 1 ; Dobbin, Emily 1 ; Cegledy, Maria 1
