Kent State Rallies to Take Opener at Akron, 7-3

Friday, April 21

Akron, Ohio

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

18-23, 8-8

Akron

20-24, 8-8

Kent State

Akron

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Rallies to Take Opener at Akron, 7-3

4/21/2017 7:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

AKRON, Ohio – Kent State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat rival Akron, 7-3, Friday afternoon at Lee R. Jackson Field. Senior Ronnie Ladines was terrific in the circle and the Golden Flashes showed patience at the plate to take advantage of walks and errors to mount their comeback.

The Flashes (18-23, 8-8 MAC) matched their highest run total of the month despite only three hits in the game. However, they drew nine walks, including seven in the fifth and sixth innings, to overcome a 3-0 deficit.

"It was a pretty tight game," said head coach Eric Oakley. "When Akron scored first, I think it kind of relaxed us a little bit. I am proud of the team for coming right back and answering. Sometimes this year, we've been a little too eager, but today they realized the pitcher was struggling and took advantage of it."

Ladines (10-13) cruised through the first three innings. After fielding a chopper hit by Akron's leadoff batter, she struck out the next five batters and allowed just one hit through three.

Akron started the fourth with a bunt single before nearly running itself out of inning, but a pair of errors allowed the Zips to score three unearned runs. With one out and runners in scoring position, the runner on third broke for home and Ladines fielded a bouncer and threw to the plate, setting off an odd chain of events. Akron's Alyssa Nicholas established a wide base path to the plate and slid about eight feet from the plate. Taylor Kirian took off to second and the Flashes threw to the base without applying a tag on Nicholas. Madison Carter proceeded to head home and the Flashes were unable to haul in the throw back to the plate that was in time to record the out to give Akron a 2-0 lead while Kirian moved to third. Anna Tarpley added a single just inside the first base line to score another run before Ladines retired the next two batters to keep the Flashes within striking distance.

A hit batter and two errors loaded the bases for Kent State in the top of the fourth. Senior Maddy Grimm then drew a walk to bring in the Flashes' first run, and sophomore Bailey Brownfield followed with a sac fly to the warning track in center field. Senior Brooke Dodson came off the bench as a pinch hitter and hit a chopper that was misplayed by the Akron third baseman, who ricocheted the ball into shallow left-center field. Grimm showed her base running abilities and was able to score after aggressively rounding third to put Kent State ahead, 4-3.

Ladines locked in over the final three innings, allowing just two hits. She finished the game with six strikeouts and two walks while not allowing an earned run on six hits.

"Ronnie has been carrying us all year and did a nice job again today," Oakley said. "She set the tone with a lot of strikeouts early but then did a good job of battling and getting hitters to put the ball in play where our defense could make plays."

The Flashes drew five walks to add two more runs in the sixth and sophomore Hunter Brancifort blasted a homer to straightaway center for the final run in the seventh.

Junior Emily Dobbin and Ladines had the Flashes' other two hits. Grimm was walked three times, including once intentionally, and Brownfield and Ladines each drew a pair of walks.

Kent State and Akron will complete the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. The Flashes need at least a split to earn a point in the Wagon Wheel Challenge standings.