Scali’s no-hitter leads Flashes to double-header win over RMU

Kent State senior shortstop Holly Speers smiles as she rounds the bases on her eighth home run of the season during Kent State’s 8-7 win over Western Michigan on March 24, 2018. Speers went 1-for-2 with nine walks on the weekend. 

On Saturday, the Kent State softball got on base 18 times over two games and only scored seven times. On Wednesday, the Flashes got on base 26 times and scored 18 runs over the span of two games against Robert Morris.

“I think it was really just us sitting in it for a couple days,” coach Eric Oakley said. “And everyone realizing we really let some opportunities go. Sometimes having some time away to reflect on it helps. We didn’t dwell on it after what we said to them after the games on Saturday. I think they just realized ‘hey we left a lot of runners on base and we have to stop doing that.’”

Senior right fielder Jen Cader hit a home run in both games, while freshman first basemen Megan Turner hit her third home run in four games in the second game of the double header.

“We have really been working on certain things at practice and hitting is one of them specifically,” Turner said. “And I think everyone’s bats got hot and our depth is really good.”

However, only four of the Flashes’ 18 runs on Wednesday came from home runs. The rest came from singles, doubles and smart base running.

“I think our bas running all year has been really good,” Oakley said. “We just have to get the runners on base and then put balls in play so we can do something.”

While heading home in the second game, sophomore pinch-runner Alexis Taube collided with the catcher. She was scored as safe but was injured and had to be assisted off of the field.

“Lex is a great teammate to all of us,” senior third baseman Bailey Brownfield said. “It really bothered us to see that happen. We were praying for her, hoping everything was okay. Going onto the field right after was kind of hard but we knew we had to focus to finish the game and we played the game for her.”

Kent State shut out Robert Morris in the second game, winning 7-0.

Freshman Andrea Scali threw her second no hitter of the year, striking out 11 Colonials and not letting a ball into the outfield until the seventh inning.

“I was just kind of going out there and throwing,” Scali said. “It was working well and everything was on. I am very comfortable with (Carlee Selle), I love pitching to her and she gives me confidence when I don’t have it. And with everyone behind me, I trust them to make the plays that need to be made.”

The Flashes play Akron in a double header at Akron on Saturday. The first game starts at 1 p.m..

Gina Butkovich is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].