Flashes Unable to Hold Onto Early Leads, Drop Pair at Plainsman Invitational
2/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Golden Flashes give up lead in late innings in back-to-back games to finish opening weekend with 2-2 record.
AUBURN, Ala. – Despite terrific run production in the first inning of both of its game, the Kent State softball team dropped a pair of games on the second day of the Plainsman Invitational Saturday at Auburn's Jane B. Moore Field. After winning both games Friday evening, the Golden Flashes fell to host Auburn, 5-3, to start the day and then were defeated by Furman, 8-5, in the nightcap to finish the weekend with an even 2-2 record.
It was déjà vu for the Flashes, who built early leads in both games only to see victory slip away in the later innings.
"The first game was a great game," said head coach Karen Linder. " We battled and hit the ball well and had a chance to tie in the seventh inning with runners n second and third. We just need to find a way to close the door late in games."
Just as they did on the opening day, the Flashes capitalized on opponent miscues to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Auburn. Sophomore Kim Kirkpatrick (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) drew a walk at the leadoff spot and a Tiger error allowed sophomore Dani Ramos (South Euclid, Ohio) to reach base. A single by junior Abbey Ledford (West Liberty, Ohio) loaded the bases with zero outs. Two batters later, freshman Shelbi Tilton (Massillon, Ohio) plated Kirkpatrick and Ramos with a single up the middle.
Sophomore Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio) cruised through the first four innings for the Flashes, allowing just one hit. Johnson surrendered two runs in the top of the fifth, but was able to get out of a jam, and Auburn left a pair of runners on base.
Kent State responded in the bottom portion of the inning. Consecutive singles by Kirkpatrick and Ramos put runners on second and third with just one out. Kirkpatrick then scored on a sac fly by Ledford to regain the lead.
Auburn tied the game on a home run by Austyn West in the sixth inning. The Tigers were able to take advantage of a throwing error in the seventh to score two runs and take their first lead of the game, 5-3.
Following a leadoff groundout, Kirkpatrick and Ramos delivered back-to-back singles again to force a pitching change. The fifth pitch thrown by Hilary Mavromat was wild, allowing both runners to advance into scoring position. Mavromat was able to get Ledford to line out to first base and then fielded a grounder by junior Kim Morgason (Grove City, Ohio) and threw to first to record the game's final out and her first save of the season.
Johnson (1-1) recorded eight strikeouts for Kent State in the complete game effort. She allowed just three earned runs in the loss. Marcy Harper (2-0) got the win, striking out five batters and allowing two earned runs in 6.1 innings of work.
Kent State also had a big first inning against Furman, this time scoring four runs. Kirkpatrick drew a walk to open the game, and then stole second base. Ramos followed with a single and advanced to second on a fielding error. A wild pitch allowed Kirkpatrick to score and Ramos to advance to third before scoring on a sac fly by Ledford. Two batters later, freshman Erika Warren (North Canton, Ohio) doubled to center. Junior Caitie Kilbane (Westerville, Ohio) capped the scoring with the first home run of the season for the Flashes and forced a pitching change by Furman.
Furman scored twice in the bottom of the first and added another run to make it a one-run game with no outs in the third. Junior Lauren McNeil (Akron, Ohio) remained composed and retired the next three batters to keep the Flashes ahead.
The Flashes got the run back in the top of the next inning. Kilbane reached on a walk to open the inning and advanced to third on a single by senior Lauren Balodis (North Royalton, Ohio). Freshman Chloe Kesterson (Everett, Wash.) came in to pinch run for Balodis and was thrown out attempting to steal second, but it allowed Kilbane to scamper down the third base line and cross home plate.
In the bottom of the fourth, Furman was able to score four runs to take a 7-5 lead. The Paladins added on an insurance run in the fifth. Kent State's bats went silent the rest of the way and were held hitless over the final three innings.
"We had a great offensive first inning but did not make adjustments after Furman made the pitching change," Linder said.
Furman collected 14 hits in the game. Lauren Collier and Hannah Pace had three hits apiece and combined to drive in five runs.
McNeil (1-1) allowed four earned runs and 11 hits in 5.2 innings. She also struck out five batters. Senior Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) recorded the final out in the sixth inning for the Flashes, a strikeout. Meaghan Houston (1-0) got the win and allowed just on hit and recorded eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings of relief duty. Shelby Parker allowed four hits and four earned runs in 0.2 innings.
"The top of our order is getting on base and allowing us to make things happen," Linder said.
Kirkpatrick and Ramos combined to go 6-for-11 from the plate, drew three walks, and scored five times.
Overall, Linder was pleased with the outcome of her team's opening weekend. "The weekend allowed us to identify some areas we can improve on and we have all next week to focus on strengthening them since we don't play for two weeks."
Kent State will be back in action in two weeks with four games at the Louisville Invitational from Feb. 22-24.
