Kent State Tops George Washington in opening Round of NISC
Thursday Scoreboard
Kent State 7, George Washington 2
Stories Courtesy of Kent State Sports Information
Kent State 7, George Washington 2
Box Score
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Kent State (28-24) used two crooked run innings to power past George Washington (43-17) 7-2 in the opening round of the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) on Thursday evening in Lynchburg. Senior Jen Cader and freshman Megan Turner each clubbed home runs in the triumph.
"Manufacturing a two out run early was key," said Kent State head coach Eric Oakley. "We saw great base running from Sabrina Kerschner to score from second on a ground ball in addition to the two homers."
How It Happened
Sophomore Brenna Brownfield reached base to begin the second inning on a throwing error and Kent State capitalized. Junior Maria Cegledy successfully sacrificed pinch runner Olivia Sborlini to second and with two outs, senior Hunter Brancifort laced a single to right center to plate the game's first run. Sophomore Carlee Selle lined a base knock to left to put two on for Jen Cader who made a return to the lineup after missing the previous three games with ian injury. Cader then pulverized a three-run homer to right center to swing the momentum completely in Kent State's favor.
The Flashes had runners on first and second with one out in the third when Cegledy bounced a ball to second and the Colonials took the force at second. With the defense caught napping, Kerschner bolted home to score and did not hesitate rounding third to make it a 5-0 lead. Turner followed and unloaded for a moon scrapping homer to put KSU up by seven to conclude the third.
George Washington plated two runs in the fourth innings on a two out double to right center, but did not threaten beyond that.
The Golden Flashes defense answered when it was tested and Selle recorded a caught stealing and Cegledy an outfield assist at second.
Cader was 2-for-2 with a base hit and a walk. Bailey Brownfield tallied a single and has 205 career hits, which is tied for second most in school history.
Andrea Scali (22-7) picked up the win and allowed six hits while striking out nine. Sierra Lange (30-13) gave up seven runs in 2.2 innings for the Colonials.
