Flashes Flex Offensive Muscle in Split with Akron
4/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game 1 Box    Game 2 Box
KENT, Ohio - Kent State totaled 19 runs on 25 hits Friday, but settled for a doubleheader split with Akron at the Diamond at Dix. The Golden Flashes dropped a back-and-forth offensive battle 11-10 in the opener, before making quick work of the Zips 9-1 in game two.
With runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh, a diving, over-the-shoulder catch by Akron shortstop Sarah Early saved the opening game for the Zips.
"I give Akron credit for beating us in that first game," Head Coach Karen Linder said. "It was an up and down game and I was proud of the way we came back. It was good to see our offense get back into a rhythm."
The Golden Flashes ripped 15 hits in its opening game loss. Akron scored three runs in the second and two in the fourth, holding a 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
A pinch hit three run homer by Lauren Balodis capped off a seven-run fifth to give the Flashes an 8-5 lead. KSU had six hits in the inning and took advantage of two Akron errors.
Akron responded with five runs in the top of the sixth. Three different Zips drew walks, which all led to runs. In her 3-for-4 opener, Cassie Gleisner came through with a two out, two-run single in the sixth to put Akron up 10-8.
"I think the walks really hurt us in the first game," Linder said. "And too many leadoff runners got on base."
KSU loaded the bases in the sixth, but could not bring a run in. A solo homer in the seventh gave the Zips what turned out to be a very important insurance run.
Alex Marcantonio and Jess Carmichael hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of the seventh to trim the lead to one. Later in the frame, Mary Holt blooped a ball into center field that looked like more late-inning, two-out magic for the Flashes, but Early found a way to chase the ball down to end the game.
Game two had much different feel as an RBI double by Shannon Laughlin started a five-run first inning for the Flashes. Abbey Ledford laced a two-out single through the right side, setting up a two-run homer to right center by Jess Blanton.
Two innings later, Blanton struck again, this time a line shot to straight away center, putting two more runs up on the board. After game one, Blanton moved up a spot in the batting order.
"JB has been more consistent lately," Linder said. "I thought moving her up, might pay off."
A solo homer by Abbey Ledford and an RBI single from Lauren Grimes ended the game early. Ledford finished the day with four hits and four RBI.
Despite throwing two frames of relief in the opener, Danielle Abernathy went all five innings of game two, allowing just one run on six hits.
"Danielle did a really good job in that second game. We didn't plan on leaving her in that long, but she battled and did a good job of keeping the ball low."
Marcantonio and Carmichael each went 3-for-4 in the opener.
The Golden Flashes (17-25, 7-6 MAC) will host Ohio (19-19, 8-6 MAC) in a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m. Kent State's Senior Day and Commencement presentation will take place in-between games.
