Friday, February 21
Boca Raton, Fla.
9:00 a.m.
Kent State University
4-2
0
vs
1
University of Pittsburgh
6-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
6
2
Kent State
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Lauren McNeil
Photo by: Matt Hafley
Golden Flashes Drop Two Games to Open FAU Invitational
2/21/2014 3:06:00 PM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Kent State (4-3) dropped its first two games at the Florida Atlantic Invitational on Friday. The Golden Flashes suffered a tough 1-0 defeat to Pittsburgh early in the morning and then lost to No. 5/7 Michigan, 7-1.
Senior Lauren McNeil (0-1) was terrific in the opener against Pittsburgh, although it came in a losing effort. McNeil allowed just one run on six hits and did not walk any batters in her first complete game of the season
"Lauren pitched extremely well and put us in position to win the first game," head coach Karen Linder said.
A leadoff double in the sixth by Carissa Throckmorton proved to be the pivotal at-bat of the game. McNeil recorded groundouts on the next two batters, but Throckmorton advanced on each to score the lone run of the game.
Kent State had its best scoring opportunity in the second when junior Kim Kirkpatrick drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Junior Dani Ramos then flew out to center to end the inning.
The Flashes threatened once more in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Kim Morgason led-off with a pinch-hit single and advanced to third following a sac bunt by Michele Duffy and groundout by Erika Warren. Pittsburgh starter Savannah King (4-3) was able to get out of trouble again by getting her 12th groundout of the day. Kent State left six runners on base for the game.
Junior Emma Johnson (2-2) turned in a solid performance on the mound against the Wolverines. Johnson went five innings and allowed seven hits and four runs, only two of which were earned. She also had three strikeouts.
"Emma actually did a good job of keeping Michigan's offense in check," said Linder. "They are one of the best hitting teams we will face all year and took advantage of our defensive miscues."
A throwing error in the first cost the Flashes, as Michigan was able to score two unearned runs for a 2-0 lead.
Kent State scored its lone run in the third, which was setup by Caitie Kilbane's leadoff walk. A sac bunt and groundout to first base allowed Arika Roush, who entered as a pinch runner, to advance to third. Freshman Maddy Grimm brought Roush home with a single up the middle.
Michigan responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs of its own. The Wolverines added three runs in the sixth for the final score.
Sierra Lawrence went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs to lead a Michigan lineup that recorded 11 hits. All-American Sierra Romero went 1-for-1 with two runs and two RBI.
Haylie Wagner (5-0) allowed just two hits in the complete game victory for the Wolverines.
"Our defense was very inconsistent and we did not hit as well as we are capable in either game," Linder said of her team, which had just five total hits on the day. "We put the bat on the ball, but just didn't drive the ball as well as we did in California. And we did not take advantage of scoring opportunities when we had them.
Kent State continues play at the Florida Atlantic Invitational on Saturday against No. 6/5 Kentucky at 9 a.m. and a 1 p.m. rematch against Michigan.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: King, S (4-3)
L: McNeil, Lauren (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Throckmorton 1
RBI: Thea, C 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Throckmorton 1
Batting:
SH: Duffy, Michele 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
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