Errors Lead to Pair of Losses for Flashes

Saturday, February 14

San Diego, Calif.

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

2-1

Southern Utah

2-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Utah	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	4	5	1
Kent State	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	3	7	2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kent State	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	5	2
San Diego	0	0	0	2	0	1	X	3	3	1

Photo by: David Dermer

2/14/2015 5:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Kent State softball team received good pitching performances from its starters, but four errors that resulted in five unearned runs cost the Golden Flashes a pair of games on the second day at the University of San Diego Tournament on Saturday. The Flashes (2-2) lost to Southern Utah, 4-3, and host San Diego, 3-2.

"I am happy with the way we took the lead in both games today but we need to do a better job of finishing," said head coach Karen Linder. "We need to develop consistency both on offense and defense. We had errors or walk-ins in all the innings we gave up runs and we left more runners on base than our opponents."

Kent State scored in its first at-bat against Southern Utah. Senior Dani Ramos got it started with a leadoff triple and scored on a sac fly by junior Lauren Kesterson to give Kent State a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore Ronnie Ladines cruised through the first three innings before control issues allowed the Thunderbirds to tie the game in the fourth. Two walks and a single loaded the bases and another walk brought home the tying run.

Kent State scored twice in the bottom of the fifth, which got started with a double by freshman Holly Speers. It looked like Southern Utah might get out of the inning unscathed, but Lauren Kesterson delivered a two-out double that scored Speers and twin sister Chloe Kesterson, who had walked.

The Flashes were an out from victory when Southern Utah's Sara Park tripled to right field in the top of the seventh. The next batter hit a routine ball to short that would have ended the game but was misplayed to allow a run to score. A second error on the play allowed the batter to advance into scoring position. A single and double by the next two batters brought home the tying and go-ahead runs. Kent State's Paige McCrary singled in the bottom of the inning but was left stranded on first base.

Ladines (1-1) threw 6.2 innings and allowed just one earned run as she was charged with her first loss of the season. She had eight strikeouts and allowed just four hits but walked six batters.

Against the host Toreros, Kent State struck first with two runs in the top of the fourth. An error and a walk allowed sophomore Janel Hayes to bring in freshman Emily Dobbin for the first run of the game on a double to centerfield. Senior Ariele Patterson followed with a single to score a second run.

A two-out error in the bottom of the fourth proved costly, as Kailey Hill tied the game with a home run. Another error with two outs in the bottom of the sixth allowed San Diego to advance a runner to third. That runner then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

Emma Johnson (1-1) was terrific in the circle for the Flashes with eight strikeouts and only one walk. Johnson allowed just one earned run and three base hits.

McCrary and Ramos had three hits apiece as they combined for half of Kent State's 12 hits on the day.

Kent State concludes opening weekend at the USD Tournament Sunday with games against Montana and Cal State Bakersfield beginning at 12 p.m. ET.