Ohio sets new MAC record in doubleheader sweep of Flashes

Junior Jen Cader swings during the first game of Kent State’s doubleheader against Ohio on April 11, 2018. The Flashes lost, 4-2.

Amanda Levine

Pitching again proved to Kent State softball’s (19-6, 5-6 Mid-American Conference) downfall Wednesday, as the Flashes dropped a doubleheader to Ohio (22-13, 10-1 MAC). The Flashes were outscored, 26-9, in the two games.

Holly Speers recorded three hits over the two games, one of which was her 10th home run of the season, while Carlee Selle clubbed her first double of the year in the first game.

Game 1: Ohio 4, Kent State 2

Flashes sophomore Madi Huck pitched six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. Senior Danielle Stiene for Ohio pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on four hits.

In the top half of the first inning, Kent State scored its first run thanks to a Bailey Brownfield single, then scored again on an Emily Dobbin basehit in the fifth.

Freshman Katie Yun ripped a home run in the third inning to open the scoring for the Bobcats, followed by an RBI single from Alexa Holland. With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Morgan Geno hit a home run over the wall in left field to put Ohio up for good, 4-2. 

Game 2: Ohio 22, Kent State 7

Holly Speers went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the second game of the doubleheader Wednesday against Ohio. That wasn’t enough for the Flashes, however, as the Bobcats’ Alex Day went 5-for-5 with two home runs and eight RBI to lead Ohio to a 22-7 victory. 

The Flashes struggled early on in the top of the first when freshman Brenna Brownfield allowed back-to-back singles followed by a three-run home run by Katie Yun.

Brownfield was taken out after 1.1 innings, replaced by Kristyn Eckl, then returned in the top of the third.

Ohio scored again in the top of the second, when Alexa Holland took Brownfield deep to left. Three batters later, the Bobcats hit their second three-run homer of the game.

In the bottom half of the second, Jen Cader hit a two-run single after a throwing error on Ohio’s first baseman.

The Bobcats finished the day with 17 hits, but had four errors. 

In total, Ohio recorded six home runs, a new MAC record.

Amanda Levine is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].