Ladines Shows Off Hitting Ability as Flashes Split at NIU

Friday, April 25

DeKalb, IL

2:00 p.m.

Kent State University

21-16, 7-4

Northern Illinois University

20-24, 8-7

Kent State

Northern Illinois

Ronnie Ladines and Erika Warren

Photo by: David Dermer

Ladines Shows Off Hitting Ability as Flashes Split at NIU

4/25/2014 8:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DEKALB, Ill. — Kent State pulled out a thrilling 12-inning victory to salvage a split of Friday's doubleheader at Northern Illinois. After dropping the opening game 2-0, the Golden Flashes (22-16, 8-4 MAC) topped the Huskies 7-5 in extra innings.

Starting pitcher Ronnie Ladines recorded a no-decision in the Game 2 victory, but certainly played a large role in its outcome. Ladines delivered a clutch two-out single that scored a pair of runs in the top of the 12th inning. The game-winning hit capped a career game at the plate for the freshman, who went 3-for-6 with two home runs and five RBI.

"I was happy that we were able to battle back to win the second game," head coach Karen Linder said. "The lower half of our lineup came through offensively and Ronnie had a big game at the plate."

The game headed to extra innings after Northern Illinois scored twice to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Flashes walked home the tying run but managed to escape the bases loaded jam and extend the game.

Kent State never trailed and got on the board first on a solo home run by sophomore Erika Warren in the third inning. The Flashes took a 3-0 lead in the next inning when Ladines hit a blast over the fence in center to help her own cause.

Ladines was perfect in the circle through four innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the inning, Ladines was aided by senior Caitie Kilbane's unassisted double play. NIU's Jordyn Bowen followed with a two-run homer. A hit batter and another Huskies single spelled the end of the day in the circle for Ladines. Senior Lauren McNeil entered and the first batter she faced singled to tie the game at 3-3. McNeil struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Kent State regained the lead on Ladines' second homer in the top of the sixth. Freshman Janel Hayes doubled to score junior Dani Ramos for an insurance run in the top of the seventh. After NIU tied the game in the bottom of the inning, neither team was able to score over the next four innings.

Junior Emma Johnson (13-8) was the winning pitcher for the Flashes. Johnson threw 6.0 innings after entering one batter into the seventh. Johnson allowed just one run on three hits to go with eight strikeouts.

Kent State was shutout for the first time since Feb. 22, a 1-0 loss in nine innings to No. 5 Michigan, in Game 1. The Flashes collected seven hits in defeat, but were unable to manufacture any runs.

The Huskies took advantage of Kent State miscues to score both of their runs. After Johnson hit back-to-back batters with two outs in the first inning, Rebecca Rupard singled to make it 1-0. NIU's leadoff batter reached on an error in the third, moved to second on a single and then advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a fielder's choice.

Johnson went the distance and allowed just one earned run in the loss. She also had eight strikeouts.

Kent State concludes cross-divisional play with single games at Western Michigan on Saturday and Sunday.