The Golden Eagles softball team traveled to Xenia, Ohio on Saturday and split a doubleheader with Clark State, losing the first game 10-6 before taking the nightcap 4-1 for their first win on the season.
Despite outhitting the hosts 10-7, the Navy and Gold dug a hole for themselves when they surrendered eight runs in the second inning and trailed 8-0 before they got off the mat and plated a run in the fourth inning.
In the top of the fifth, Dessa Dubbert reached on an error by the Clark State second baseman and a miscue by the leftfielder put Cassy Donaldson on first. With Golden Eagle runners occupying first and second Karlee Peach smacked a single to right field to score Dubbert and another single by Kaylee Tucker brought home Donaldson to trim the deficit to 8-3.
It wasn't until the top of the final inning that the KSU Tusc bats got hot again. Dubbert reached by error again, this time by the Clark State first baseman. Donaldson and Peach both singled to load the bases.
Tucker was retired on a fielders choice that brought home Dubbert, and singles by Harley Mason and Regan Brown brought home two more runs before the side was retired and the Eagles found themselves on the short end of a 10-6 score.
Mason and Peach were both 3/4 at the plate for the Golden Eagles with three singles apiece, while Mason added two RBIs and Peach one. Brown was 2/5 with two singles and a RBI as well.
Kent State Tusc got on the board with a three-run second inning to jump on top of Clark State in the second game.
Tucker led off with a single and it appeared as she was going to be left stranded after two consecutive outs were recorded. Brown worked the Clark State pitcher to a 3-1 count before she launched her first collegiate homerun over the left field fence for a 2-0 lead. Her four-bagger was followed by a Mason triple and a Dubbert single that scored Mason for a 3-0 advantage.
The Eagles added another run in the fourth when Brown reached by an error and stole second. Mason ripped a sharp single into the outfield scoring Brown for a 4-0 lead, before KSU Tusc was retired with two runners left on base.
Mason was the winning pitcher surrendering just five hits through seven innings, striking out eight batters and not issuing a free pass. She helped her own cause going a perfect 4/4 at the plate with a triple, double, and two singles.
Peach was 2/3 with a double and a single, while Brown knocked in two runs with her blast and also scored twice.
On the day, Mason was 7/8 at the plate with four singles, a triple, double and four RBIs. She also pitched nine innings allowing just one run which was unearned, struck out 12 Clark State batters and surrendered just five hits.
Peach was 5/7 on the afternoon with a double and four singles.
Regan Brown makes a put out in right field. (Photo by Jim Cummings)
