Kent State Softball Sweeps Pair to Open 2014 Season

Friday, February 7

Long Beach, Calif.

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

1-0

George Washington University

0-1

George Washington

Kent State

Dani Ramos

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Softball Sweeps Pair to Open 2014 Season

2/7/2014 7:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Kent State began the 2014 softball season by winning both of its games of the Mizuno Invitational Friday at Long Beach State's 49er Softball Complex. The Golden Flashes opened with a 6-2 win over George Washington and then defeated Santa Clara in the nightcap, 4-2.

"Those are two good wins for our team to open the season," said head coach Karen Linder. "It was great to see our team respond to adversity early. A lot of people did their jobs very well and various people came through with clutch hits today."

The season did not get off to the start the Flashes would have liked, as George Washington plated two runs against ace Emma Johnson in the first inning. Johnson's teammates had her back though.

Outfielder Kim Kirkpatrick hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first inning and went on to score on a groundout by Maddy Grimm to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Flashes tied it up with three consecutive singles to start the bottom of the third. Following a pop up and fly out, Kent State loaded the bases with a walk. Colonials pitcher Courtney Martin was able to get a key strikeout, however, as the Flashes left the bases loaded.

Outfielder Dani Ramos finally put the Flashes in the lead as she delivered a clutch two-out triple in the fourth that scored two runners, both of which had reached on a walk. Ramos then scored on a wild pitch to give Kent State a 5-2 lead. The Flashes added an insurance run in the fifth when Chloe Kesterson scampered home on another wild pitch.

Kirkpatrick, Ramos and first baseman Shelbi Tilton each had two hits for Kent State. Ramos drove in three runs.

Johnson (1-0) shook off a tough first inning and dominated the rest of the way for the complete game victory. She surrendered just one hit over the final six innings and finished with four strikeouts while allowing just one earned run.

The Flashes struck quickly with a run in the top of the first inning of the nightcap against Santa Clara. Kirkpatrick led off with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. It seemed as if Broncos pitcher Jessica Tuner might get out of the inning without allowing a run, but Tilton singled to put the Flashes on the board.

Designated player Kim Morgason drove in a run with a triple in the second inning to give Kent State a 2-0 lead.

After Santa Clara scored an unearned run in the bottom of the third, the Flashes' offense got the run back in the top of the fourth. Shortstop Lauren Kesterson singled and then stole second. Two batters later, Kesterson scored on a single by catcher Erika Warren.

A leadoff home run by Santa Clara's Kelly Scribner in the bottom of the sixth made it a one-run game. However, Kent State's lineup came through once more by adding an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Jessacca Gironda, who reached on a single, scored on a wild pitch.

Freshman Janel Hayes (1-0) recorded the victory in her collegiate debut with Kent State. Hayes allowed just one earned run in five innings on the mound. She had one strikeout and did not walk any batters. Senior Lauren McNeil pitched the final two innings to earn the save. McNeil inherited one runner in a one-run game and retired all six batters she faced.

Lauren Kesterson scored two runs in each game and finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate. She also drew three walks and had two stolen bases.

"I am very excited about the offensive production and the number of innings we were able to put runs on the board," said Linder, whose team scored in 8 of 13 innings on the day.

Kent State continues play at the Mizuno Invitational on Saturday with a rematch against George Washington at 2:30 p.m. before taking on host Long Beach State at 5:00 p.m.