Golden Flashes Fall to Buffalo on Senior Day

Sunday, May 4

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

24-18, 11-5

University at Buffalo

27-20, 10-6

Buffalo

Kent State

Photo by: Video

Golden Flashes Fall to Buffalo on Senior Day

5/4/2014 4:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

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KENT, Ohio — Freshman Ronnie Ladines did her best to send Kent State's five seniors out with a victory, but the Golden Flashes suffered a 2-1 defeat to Buffalo in Sunday's regular season finale at the Diamond at Dix.

Ladines (6-6) was terrific in the pitcher's circle for Kent State and retired 14 of the final 16 batters she faced. She had six strikeouts without any walks and allowed just five hits.

After a home run in the top of the first gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead, junior Kim Kirkpatrick tied the game with a solo homer of her own in the bottom of the inning.

The Bulls added another solo homer to leadoff the top of the fifth inning, which would be the last run scored in the game.

Kent State threatened to tie the game and possibly take the lead when it loaded the bases in the sixth. Sophomore Lauren Kesterson and freshman Maddy Grimm got the inning started with back-to-back singles. Following a pop out, Kirkpatrick reached on catcher interference. However, the Flashes were unable to bring the tying run home.

The Flashes matched the Bulls with five hits on the day. Seniors Abbey Ledford and Jessacca Gironda also had hits for the Flashes on their Senior Day.

Kent State (24-18, 10-6) will open the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament against Ohio on Wednesday at Firestone Stadium in Akron. The fourth-seeded Flashes and fifth-seeded Bobcats will play in the first game of the day at 11 a.m.