Eagles Drop a Pair to Kent State; Tomorrow's Game Changed to 1 p.m. Doubleheader

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Mid-American Conference East Division leader Kent State, Friday, April 17 at Varsity Field. The Eagles' rally came up just short in first contest, as they fell 5-4 before dropping the second contest, 11-2 in five innings.

With the two losses, EMU falls to 15-25 (3-9 MAC) on the year while Kent State improves to 19-17 (10-1 MAC) on the other side of the ledger. The Eagles fell behind in the first inning of each contest, having to play catch-up all day. Freshman Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek) had four hits on the afternoon, including her first career home run.

In the first game of the day, EMU spotted the Golden Flashes two runs in the first frame off a two-run home run by Chelsey Jones. The Eagles began their comeback in the second inning, as Tolliver hit the first home run of her career, bringing the home team back within 2-1. Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) tied up the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a home run of her own, giving her four on the year.

KSU then took a lead it would not relinquish, plating a run in the fifth inning when a failed pick-off attempt at first base allowed the runner at third base to advance home, pushing the score to 3-2. The Flashes increased their lead to 5-2 in the top of the seventh before the Eagles began to rally in the seventh. Tolliver led off the frame with a single, scoring on Lauren Delapaz's (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) triple to right center. Delapaz scored on a Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) ground out to third, but the Eagles would not be able to plate any more runs after that to fall 5-4 to KSU.

Sophomore pitcher Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) went the distance in the circle, giving up five runs on nine hits while striking out five. The loss puts Caro at 10-9 on the year.

It was the same story in the second game, as KSU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on the strength of an Ashlee Hein three-run home run. The Eagles were able to get a run back in the second when Richards doubled to center, scoring Delapaz. KSU would continue to swing the bats effectively, putting another four runs on the board in the top of the third to go ahead 7-1.

Sophomore shortstop Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) homered to left in the bottom of the fourth, trimming the Kent lead to 7-2. It was not enough, as the Golden Flashes scored another four runs in the fifth to end the game in five innings, 11-2.

Freshman Allison Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) was charged with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, surrendering three runs on two hits with one strikeout. Michelle Hlteko (Westmont, Ill.-Westmont) pitched 3.0 innings of relief, giving up eight runs on six hits while fanning three batters. Freshman right fielder McKenna Russ (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover) went 3-for-3 at the plate in the nightcap to lead the Eagles offensively.

EMU continues its MAC weekend tomorrow, April 18, when the University at Buffalo comes to Varsity Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Tomorrow's contest also marks the Eagles' “Knock Cancer Out of the Park” event. Immediately following the game, the players will participate in a Home Run Derby to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made for home runs per player, for the entire team or by a flat amount. During the contest, balls that will be used during the Home Run Derby can be decorated in honor anyone who has been affected by cancer with a donation of $10.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eagles Drop a Pair to Kent State; Tomorrow's Game Changed to 1 p.m. Doubleheader

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