Kent State University
29-26
Ohio
39-14
Flashes Unable to Capitalize on Early Opportunities in 2-0 loss to Bobcats
5/12/2017 8:00:00 PM | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – No. 4 seed Kent State stranded four runners in scoring position in the first four innings of a 2-0 loss to No. 2 seed Ohio in a Mid-American Conference Tournament contest Friday afternoon at Firestone Stadium.
Senior Ronnie Ladines carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning when the Bobcats pounded out four hits to score the game's only runs. Ladines (17-14) threw a complete game and had three strikeouts. She continued to swing a hot bat with two doubles.
"We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them early," said head coach Eric Oakley. "It's disappointing because we only gave up two runs and have been scoring more than that. We need to have a better approach at the plate and put the ball in play with runners in scoring position. But obviously we were going against a very good pitcher and Savannah Jo [Dorsey] deserves credit for her performance."
The Golden Flashes (29-26) nearly took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but senior Maddy Grimm didn't quite get enough of the ball, which bounced off the wall in right-center for a double, and sophomore Hunter Brancifort moved to third base. However, Dorsey was able to get a groundout and a strikeout to escape.
Ladines started the second inning with a double that dropped near the line and just out of reach of the Ohio left fielder. A passed ball allowed pinch runner Olivia Sborlini to advance to third, but Dorsey got back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ladines hit a double with two outs and was left at third base after advancing on a passed ball.
Both teams finished with six hits. Grimm joined Ladines with two hits, while Brancifort and freshman Vanessa Vodan each collected a hit.
No. 4 Kent State will play the winner of Thursday's game between No. 3 Northern Illinois and No. 8 Western Michigan on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: DORSEY, S. (23-6)
L: Ladines, Ronnie (17-14)
Batting:
2B: DAY, A. 1
RBI: WREN, J. 1 ; BRUNSWICK 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DAY, A. 1 ; WREN, J. 1
SB: WREN, J. 1
CS: COOPER, M. 1
Batting:
2B: Grimm, Maddy 1 ; Ladines, Ronnie 2
