Pitt Halts Flashes' Weekend Momentum
2/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
RALEIGH, N.C.- After an impressive Saturday sweep of NC State and Georgetown, Kent State dropped a 5-2 decision to Pitt Sunday in the final day of the Wolfpack Challenge at Dail Stadium. The Golden Flashes (4-6) finished 3-2 on the weekend as sophomore Abbey Ledford (West Liberty, Ohio) and senior Jess Blanton (Wheelersburg, Ohio) were named to the all-tournament team.
"Yesterday, we did a great job of maintaining our focus during a very long and cold day," Head Coach Karen Linder said of not starting the game against Georgetown until 10 p.m. "But today, we looked a little flat and Pitt's a good hitting team."
The Panthers scored twice in the second on three hits, while the Flashes were held to just one hit in the first three innings.
Freshman Kim Kirkpatrick (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) put Kent State on the board with a solo homer to right in the top of the fourth.
"Kim is continually getting better and stronger," Linder said.
Two batters later, senior Shannon Laughlin (Fairview Park, Ohio) tied the game with a solo blast of her own to right.
Maggie Sevilla gave the Panthers a 4-2 lead with a two-run homer to center field. Pitt added a run in the fifth, taking advantage of a leadoff walk.
The Flashes put runners on in the sixth and seventh, but could not cut into the deficit. The Panthers out-hit Kent State 8-7
"Yesterday, we were able to put back-to-back hits together in both games and we just couldn't do that today," Linder said.
Sophomore Lauren McNeil (Akron, Ohio) tossed the first two innings, while junior Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) threw the final four.
The Golden Flashes return to action next weekend with five games at the Marshall Invitational.
