University of Toledo
Kent State
Toledo Trumps Kent State in Series Finale, 5-2
4/17/2005 12:00:00 PM | Softball
April 17, 2005
Kent, OH - Toledo returned to Kent State Softball Field today (April 17) to redeem itself after a doubleheader defeat yesterday. The Rockets (20-22, 5-11 MAC) achieved their goal with a 5-2 series finale victory over the Golden Flashes (19-20, 7-6 MAC). UT had 10 hits on the day, while four Rockets' had multiple-hit showings at the plate, including freshman LF Leslie Stong (2-for-4, RBI, run scored), junior SS Gina Muratori (2-for-4, 2 RBI), senior RHP Kim Pettitt (2-for-3, run scored) and senior 2B Kris Shultz (2-for-4, RBI).
The Rockets broke open the game in the top of the third inning, plating four runs on six hits. Sophomore RF Denise Van Vossen started the rally with a triple, which ties her for second on UT's all-time single season records list with four this year. She would plate Toledo's first run of the game off a single from freshman LF Leslie Stong. With Stong on first, junior C Jennifer Susman stepped up to the plate and belted her sixth double of the season to score Stong. A bobble by the catcher gave Susman just enough time to make her move to third, as the Golden Flashes made a pitching change and put Keir McEachern in the circle.
McEachern's first batter was junior SS Gina Muratori, who hit a single up the middle to plate run No. 3 of the inning. Senior DP Kim Pettitt would also connect for a single, while freshman 1B Megan McCauley reached first on a fielder's choice. With runners at second and first, senior 2B Kris Shultz hit another single up the middle to move all runners one base, but a muffed throw by the center fielder into home would have Pettitt wheeling in from third for the Rockets' fourth run of the game.
It was a battle of the Brittany's, as KSU made another pitching change to pit its Brittany Robinson against UT's freshman 3B Brittany Robbins. Robinson came out on top as she struck out Robbins to end the inning, but not before the Rockets could put themselves at a comfortable 4-0 advantage.
The Golden Flashes put their first run on the board as Megan Verde connected for her second home run of the series in the bottom of the fourth inning. Toledo made a strategic pitching change, replacing starter RHP Stephanie Moore with Pettitt. Pettitt held off KSU from plating anymore runs in the inning to preserve their three-run lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kent State plated one more run to pull within two heading into the seventh inning (4-2).
The Rockets were in need of insurance runs in the top of the seventh, and would get one when Susman hit a high fly ball into right field. Kent State's right fielder misread the play and the ball hit off the top of her glove, as Susman wheeled around to third. Muratori hit a hard grounder up the middle to score Susman, unearned. KSU entered the bottom of the inning down 5-2.
Two amazing defensive plays by Robbins at third base and a fly out to Shultz at second base would seal the Flashes fate, 5-2.
Moore (9-12) achieved the win, while Pettitt pulled in her second save of the year. Kent State worked its way around three pitchers with Erin Christopher (3-6) taking the loss. Moore and Pettitt both scattered two hits for one run in their three-plus innings of work.
Up next, the Rockets will be back at Scott Park when they host Dayton on Tuesday, April 19 for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m.
