Johnson’s Arm and Grimm’s Bat Lead Flashes to Split with No. 3 Michigan

Saturday, March 14

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

12-5

Michigan

23-4

Kent State

Michigan

Photo by: David Dermer

Johnson’s Arm and Grimm’s Bat Lead Flashes to Split with No. 3 Michigan

3/14/2015 5:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Kent State defeated a nationally-ranked team on its home field for the second consecutive weekend in earning a split with No. 3 Michigan Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flashes spoiled the Wolverines' home opener by winning opening game, 3-0, before losing the second game of the day in five innings, 10-1.

Just like in its 1-0 win over No. 15 UCF last Friday, it was the arm of senior Emma Johnson and the powerful bat of sophomore Maddy Grimm that propelled Kent State to victory in the first game. Johnson held one of the nation's most potent offenses to only three hits for her fifth shutout in her last six starts. Grimm homered twice to drive in all of the Flashes' runs.

Kent State captured its first-ever win over Michigan after losing the previous eight matchups, including three a season ago.

"We are very excited about the win," said head coach Karen Linder. "That is one of the biggest wins in program history. Emma did a great job of going at their hitters and getting them to pop up. Erika called a great game and Maddy came through big for us."

The Flashes kept Michigan off the scoreboard for nine innings before breaking through with three in the bottom of the third in the second game. The Wolverines needed only eight hits to score their 10 runs.

"We allowed too many leadoff hitters to get on base and Michigan took advantage of the walks," Linder added. "Our hitters did a good job at swinging at good pitches in the first game and we let some good pitches go in the second game that I thought we should have jumped on. We have to stay aggressive at the play tomorrow and play good defense."

Game 1: Kent State 3, #3 Michigan 0

Kent State scored twice in the top of the first inning to shock the home crowd of 1,051. After Dani Ramos was hit by a pitch, Maddy Grimm sent the second pitch she saw over the wall in right field to give the Golden Flashes a 2-0 lead.

That would remain the score until Grimm hit a towering shot over the wall in center field to lead off the sixth inning.

Grimm also doubled in the third inning and went 3-for-3 in the opening game. Erika Warren and Ronnie Ladines each had a single to give the Flashes five hits in the game.

Emma Johnson (6-2) recorded her fifth shutout of the season. Johnson surrendered just three hits and had four strikeouts. While she did have six walks and a hit batter, she did an excellent job of not allowing runners to advance. With two on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Johnson got All-American Sierra Romero to foul out to first baseman Shelbi Tilton for the final out of the game.

"I am really proud of Emma's performance. It shows how she has grown and matured over the last four years," Linder said.

Game 2: #3 Michigan 10, Kent State 1

Ronnie Ladines was able to get out of trouble and leave two baserunners stranded in each of the first two innings. Michigan loaded the bases with just one out in the third on a single and two walks. Kelsey Susalla brought two runners home on a double to left field and Aidan Falk added a sacrifice fly to give the Wolverines a 3-0 lead.

Kent State was unable to take advantage of an opportunity to score in the top of the fourth after a double by Michele Duffy with one out. After Duffy advanced to third on a groundout by Holly Speers, Michigan's Megan Betsa got a strikeout to end the inning.

Sierra Romero hit a three-run home run to center field to end Ladines' day with one out in the bottom of the fourth. The Wolverines used a walk, a stolen base and two singles to add two more runs in the inning.

Needing to score a run to extend the game, Erika Warren started the top of the fifth for Kent State with a single and was replace don the base paths by Emily Dobbin. After a strikeout, Dobbin moved to second on a groundout by Kim Kirkpatrick. Down to the final out, Dani Ramos found open space in the outfield in-between three Michigan players for a triple that allowed Dobbin to score.

A throwing error allowed the first Michigan batter in the bottom half of the inning to reach, and Sierra Lawrence belted a shot over the left field wall to bring the game to a close.

Ladines (3-3) pitched 3.1 innings and allowed six runs on five hits. She had five strikeouts. Alyssa Frankenfield entered for Ladines and recorded the final two outs of the fourth inning. Frankenfield allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and had one strikeout.

Duffy hit safely in both of her at-bats and had two of the Flashes' four hits in the game.

Kent State and Michigan will meet for the rubber match at 1 p.m. on Sunday.