Carmichael, Reynolds powers softball to win

All the Kent State softball team needed Sunday was three runs to beat rival Miami. They all came on just one fourth-inning swing of the bat. Freshman designated hitter Jess Carmichael, a Dalton graduate, hit her fifth home run of the season Sunday.

The three-run shot to left field gave the Flashes a 3-2 win and its 30th victory of the season. It is now the third straight year the Flashes have won 30 games or more.

The game also featured another strong pitching performance by sophomore pitcher Kylie Reynolds, last year's Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year. Reynolds (16-4) pitched a complete game, giving up no earned runs and striking out 11.

She now has 192 strikeouts and, as of April 15, leads the MAC in strikeouts. Teammate Gabe Burns (currently 150) was second in the conference.

A random softball note:

Although baseball and softball are rooted the same, the games can still be very different. Softball often times offers a much quicker pace and differing strategies. One obvious strategy that is used more is slap hitting. One could argue that Kent State sophomore outfielder Lauren Brocklehurst has mastered the art of the slap hit.

Brocklehurst is currently hitting .345 on the season with 30 hits in 87 at bats. All 30 of those hits have been singles giving her a .345 slugging percentage. She is yet to record an RBI this season.