Recordpub.com - Toocheck delivers game-winning hit in the 10th inning

By David Carducci
Record-Courier staff writer
AKRON " Jessica Toocheck's RBI-single in the bottom of the 10th inning helped top seeded Kent State escape a scare in the Mid-American Conference Tournament opener with a 3-2 victory over the University of Akron Wednesday at Firestone Stadium.
Despite their unimpressive 8-14 league mark during the regular season and their status as the last team to make into the tournament, the eighth-seeded Zips (19-37) gave the regular-season champions all they could handle. Akron led 1-0 after two innings thanks to a solo home run by Alex Feltes and then 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth after pinch runner Jaci Brindus scored on a passed ball.
"That's what you have to expect when you get to the MAC Tournament," said KSU head coach Karen Linder. "You have to expect close, hard-fought games. ... I'm proud of the way we kept on fighting."
The Golden Flashes battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of unusual runs. When Akron catcher Sarah Stromack blocked the plate without the ball as KSU's Jamie Fitzpatrick tried to score on a ground ball hit by teammate Corey Houk, the Flashes were handed a gift run. The throw to Stromack appeared to arrive in time to get the out without the need to block the plate several feet up the third-base line.
Houk eventually came around to deadlock the game on a delayed double steal. With runners on the corners, Jessica Carmichael was supposed to steal second, but realizing she was going to be cut down on the attempt, she stopped halfway between the two bases, allowing herself to get into a rundown and creating the time Houk needed to race home.
"That's a play we practice all the time," said Linder.
The two teams took turns ruining opportunities to break the 2-2 tie during the next five innings before Toocheck finally delivered in the clutch.
Her line-drive single between first and second plated Kim Hamilton, who opened the 10th inning at second base. In extra innings, once the game hits the 10th frame, every inning starts with a runner standing on second.
"In that situation, I'm looking for any pitch I can drive," said the left-handed hitting Toocheck, who was 0-for-3 with a walk in four previous plate appearances. "I knew if I could get a ground ball through, Kim would score because she's so fast. I got an inside pitch and just turned on it.
"It was an awesome feeling, because I knew we needed this win. It was a long, hard-fought game, but we stayed strong."
Akron pitcher Christina Swierz (18-26) overmatched KSU's hitters for most of the day. The senior surrendered just two hits in her first seven innings, but allowed three hits, including the game-winner.
Kylie Reynolds improved to 22-4 on the year with six scoreless innings of relief work that included eight strikeouts. Gabrielle Burns worked the first four innings for the Flashes, surrendering both Akron runs.
KSU (41-10) faces No. 5 Western Michigan (20-16) today at 1:30 p.m. in the second tournament game for both teams. Western also won its opener in 10 innings, beating Miami University 4-2.

MAC Tournament
No. 1 Kent State 3, No. 8 Akron 2
(at Firestone Stadium, Akron)
AKRON 010 100 000 0 " 2 4 1
KSU 000 200 000 1 " 3 6 0
WP "Reynolds (22-4). LP "Swierz (18-26).