Kent State Surges Past Ball State to Win Weekend Series

Saturday, April 7

Muncie, Ind.

2:00 P.m.

Kent State University

19-14, 5-4

Ball State

24-12, 6-3

Kent State

Ball State

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Surges Past Ball State to Win Weekend Series

4/7/2018 6:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – In a series finale between both team's aces, Kent State (19-14, 5-4 MAC) received a great start from pitcher Madi Huck, along with 11 hits to defeat Ball State, 4-1. KSU took the series from the Cardinals (24-12, 6-3 MAC) to move above the .500 mark in league play.

Huck allowed just one earned run and three hits to Ball State's offense, which is the second best in the conference. Three different Flashes contributed offensively with an RBI knock as Bailey Brownfield, Emily Dobbin and Maria Cegledy each drove in a run. Kennadie Goth and Brownfield had three hits apiece.

"It was nice to get the series win on the road. With the crossover MAC West Division portion of our schedule complete we have two series and an overall winning record. Considering that all three of those will very likely make the MAC Tournament I think that's a pretty good start for our season," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "I'm very pleased with Madi Huck's pitching performance and our team's hitting throughout the weekend.

How It Happened

Goth singled to begin the first and Dobbin laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance her into scoring position. With two outs, Bailey Brownfield delivered driving a ringing double to center to put the Flashes in front.

Ball State loaded the bases on a double and two walks in the second, but only scored one run on a wild pitch to even the score.

The Kent State bags were juiced with two outs in the fourth inning, but Speers was called out on a check-swing 3-2 pitch by the second base umpire. However, in the fifth frame Kent State took the lead as Brenna Brownfield lifted a floater to shallow right that was dropped allowing pinch runner Olivia Sborlini to cross the plate to take a 2-1 lead.

The sixth inning was a big one for the Golden Flashes as Kent State plated two. Emily Dobbin shot an RBI double to center and Maria Cegledy laced a single to center to give KSU insurance to go up by three.

Huck got a double play on a line drive to take the sting out of Ball State's bats in the sixth and cruised through the final frame to complete the game.

In Huck's (11-4) seven frames of work, she allowed just three hits, with seven walks and struck out two in her second victory of the weekend.

Kent State's offense totaled 10 hits off Ball State ace Aeshia Miles, the most she's given up this season.

Up Next

Kent State hosts MAC East Division foe Ohio for a midweek conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 11. Game time of the first game is to be determined.