The Fordham softball team split a doubleheader against the Kent State University (KSU) Golden Flashes this past weekend, with each team winning one game. Both games on Saturday, April 9, lasted seven innings.

Earlier in the week, Fordham took on Manhattan College in the first matchup between the two teams since 2010. In a renewal of the Battle of the Bronx, the Rams soundly defeated the Jaspers 8-3, giving them momentum going into the weekend doubleheader against Kent State.

In the first game against the Golden Flashes, Devon Miller, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill (GSBRH) ’23, stepped up to pitch for all seven innings. Miller is one of Fordham’s best pitchers and marked her 76th strikeout in the first inning.

Although neither side scored in the sixth inning, everything began to change in the seventh.

The game started slow, as both teams failed to score in the first four innings. It wasn’t until the fifth inning that Kent State got the first run of the day. Madison Hershberger, KSU ’24, got a hit which drove in the runner from second. Miller, who had been consistently striking out Kent State players, seemed a bit shaken following the run. She received a quick pep talk from her team before continuing.

Kent State then scored a second run at the end of the fifth. As Fordham’s turn on offense began for the fifth inning, the team trailed 2-0. 

Miller then stepped up to the plate and started swinging. She quickly hit the ball out of the park, scoring Fordham’s first run of the game on a solo homer. This put the Rams in a better position going into the next two innings, as they were only behind by one run. 

Although neither side scored in the sixth inning, everything began to change in the seventh. With one out, Kent State managed to load all of the bases. The Golden Flashes seized the opportunity, scoring four runs on three hits to take a 6-1 lead.  

As Fordham stepped up to bat in the seventh inning, they were facing a much tougher deficit than anticipated. 

Two batters for the Rams managed to get on base but neither scored, making the final score of the first game 6-1.

After a hard-fought contest to begin the day on Saturday, the Rams’ second game of the weekend was similarly competitive. Neither team scored for the first four innings, and this time, Fordham weathered the defensive battle. In a dominant showing, Makenzie McGrath, GSBRH ’22, pitched all seven innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five batters.

The Rams’ split doubleheader this weekend is reflective of a season in which the team has underperformed somewhat in comparison to previous years.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Fordham finally broke through with back-to-back solo home runs from Rachel Hubertus, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’22, and Julia Martine, GSBRH ’22. A 2-0 lead was more than enough for McGrath to close the game and secure the victory.

The Rams’ split doubleheader this weekend is reflective of a season in which the team has underperformed somewhat in comparison to previous years. Though Fordham softball would likely prefer a loftier record at this point in the season, a 7-4 record in the Atlantic 10 still puts them in a solid position with 12 conference games remaining. 

Following a nonconference game against Hofstra University on Wednesday, the team will take on the University of Massachusetts in a three-game series starting Friday.