Northern Illinois Holds On To Early Lead
4/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DEKALB, Ill.- Kent State's offense totaled 10 hits Sunday afternoon at Northern Illinois, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback in a 9-4 loss to the Huskies. NIU (18-23, 6-6) came away with 11 hits to complete the two-game series sweep.
The Golden Flashes (22-20, 8-4) ripped nine hits in the first five innings, but left eight runners on base during that time. A second-inning three-run homer by Nicloe Gremillion set the tone for the day.
NIU added two more runs in the third and two in the fourth on a two-run homer by Dani Parrish, giving the Huskies a 7-0 lead.
The Flashes closed the gap in the fifth, scoring four runs on five hits. Freshman Dani Ramos (South Euclid, Ohio), junior Lauren Grimes (Tallmadge, Ohio), senior Mary Holt (Providence, R.I.) sophomore Alex Marcantonio (North Canton, Ohio) and senior Shannon Laughlin (Fairview Park, Ohio) all singled in the fifth and all had two hits on the day. Â
Grimes doubled to left to lead off the seventh, before reliever Allyson Hecht retired three straight to end the game. Kent State left the bases loaded in the fourth and left two runners on in the second.
For the second straight day freshman Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio), sophomore Lauren McNeil (Akron, Ohio) and junior Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) all pitched.
With the loss, Kent State now sits a game back of first place in the MAC East standings
The Golden Flashes return to action Saturday, visiting MAC East foe Buffalo.
