Kent State University
11-7
Iowa State University
15-7
Softball Splits Pair in Louisville Tournament
3/14/2014 4:46:00 PM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kent State (11-8) split a pair of contests on the first day of play at the Class Act Federal Credit Union Classic. The Golden Flashes opened with a 13-4 victory over Iowa State and a 2-1 loss to host Louisville in the nightcap.
"We started the day with a great win against Iowa State," said head coach Karen Linder. "That was one of the best offensive performances we have had in the last three years. In the second game, we missed a couple of scoring opportunities and had too many strikeouts and defensive miscues."
Kent State's lineup had its best offensive performance of the season in the first game of the day against Iowa State. The Flashes scored in all six innings on their way to season-best totals of 13 runs and 12 hits.
The Flashes took advantage of Iowa State mistakes to score five in the first inning of the day's first game. Junior Kim Kirkpatrick was hit by a pitch to start the game and then scored on a triple by junior Dani Ramos. Freshman Maddy Grimm was then hit by a pitch and stole second. A throwing error on the stolen base allowed Grimm to advance to third and Ramos to come home. The next two batters walked to load the bases, setting up RBI singles by seniors Kim Morgason and Jessacca Gironda. Junior Ariele Patterson also brought home a run when she was hit by a pitch.
The Flashes' lead reached 8-0 before the Cyclones could get on the scoreboard. Grimm launched her fifth home run of the season in the second, and Patterson and sophomore Lauren Kesterson drove in runs in the third and fourth, respectively.
Morgason went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double, a triple and an RBI, to lead four Flashes with multiple hits against the Cyclones. Senior Abbey Ledford, Ramos and Grimm collected two hits each. Ramos drove in three runs, while Ledford and Grimm both had two RBI.
"Dani Ramos and Abbey Ledford were both great at the plate today. The bottom of the order did a great job of being productive, led by Kim Morgason, Ariele Patterson and Jessacca Gironda."
Freshman Ronnie Ladines (2-2) allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on eights hits in 4.2 innings to earn the victory for the Flashes. Ladines recorded four strikeouts without allowing a walk. Senior Lauren McNeil threw 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Kent State's bats cooled in the second game of the day, as the Flaahes managed to push just one run across the plate on six hits. Abbey Ledford drove in a run in the top of the fifth with a double for the team's only run of the game. Ledford collected two hits against the Cardinals.
Junior Emma Johnson (6-4) was the losing pitcher despite not allowing an earned run. Johnson had five strikeouts and allowed just four hits, but a throwing error that led to a pair of Louisville runs in the fourth inning proved to be the difference.
Kent State continues play at the Class Act Federal Credit Union Classic on Saturday with a rematch against No. 7/8 Michigan at 11 a.m. and a 1:30 p.m. game against Wisconsin.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ladines, Ronnie (2-2)
L: Johnson, K. (14-6)
Batting:
2B: Grimm, Maddy 1 ; Morgason, Kim 1
3B: Ramos, Dani 1 ; Morgason, Kim 1
HR: Grimm, Maddy 1
RBI: Ramos, Dani 3 ; Grimm, Maddy 2 ; Ledford, Abbey 2 ; Kesterson, Lauren 1 ; Morgason, Kim 1 ; Patterson, Ariele 2 ; Gironda, Jessacca 1
SF: Ramos, Dani 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kirkpatrick, Kim 2 ; Ramos, Dani 1 ; Grimm, Maddy 3 ; Tilton, Shelbi 2 ; Ledford, Abbey 1 ; Kesterson, Lauren 1 ; Morgason, Kim 1 ; Patterson, Ariele 1 ; Kesterson, Chloe 1
SB: Kirkpatrick, Kim 1 ; Ramos, Dani 1 ; Grimm, Maddy 1
CS: Gironda, Jessacca 1
HBP: Kirkpatrick, Kim 2 ; Grimm, Maddy 1 ; Ledford, Abbey 1 ; Patterson, Ariele 1
Batting:
2B: Slater 1 ; Hartman 1
HR: Cappaert 1
RBI: Cappaert 1 ; Hartman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cappaert 2 ; Slater 2
SB: Gomez 1
