Softball Falls to Bradley, 4-3, in Weekend Finale

Sunday, March 8

Orlando, Fla.

9:30 a.m.

Kent State University

11-4

Bradley

5-17

Bradley

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Softball Falls to Bradley, 4-3, in Weekend Finale

3/8/2015 2:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Kent State dropped its final game of the UCF Knights Invitational, 4-3, to Bradley, Sunday morning.

The Golden Flashes (11-4) outhit the Braves, 7-5, but defensive mistakes led to a pair of unearned runs and proved to be the difference.

"This was a disappointing way to end the weekend," head coach Karen Linder said. "We had too many passed balls and misplayed balls in the field that Bradley took advantage of and we missed some opportunities on offense."

Bradley's Kelly Kapp led off the game with a bunt single, advanced to second on a groundout and moved to third on a wild pitch. A walk put runners on the corners and Shannon King singled to bring Kapp home for a 1-0 lead. Two passed balls allowed another run to score.

Kent State collected four hits in the bottom of the first to tie the game, 2-2. Following a single by Dani Ramos, Maddy Grimm singled through the left side. The leftfielder misplayed the ball, allowing Ramos to score and Grimm to get all the way to third base. Shelbi Tilton then grounded out to short, but Grimm scored on the play. The Flashes threatened to take the lead after back-to-back singles from Michele Duffy and Holly Speers, but a strikeout ended the inning.

A walk, and error and a passed ball allowed Bradley to take a 3-2 lead in the top of second. In the third, a hit batter, stolen base and passed ball put a runner on third base. Kendall Duffy then doubled to score the runner.

The Flashes threatened once again in the fourth, which started with Duffy drawing a walk and advancing to second on a passed ball. Speers singled to third, but was retired going to second on a fielder's choice by Katlyn Purvis. Erika Warren delivered a clutch single through the left side that scored Duffy and put two runners aboard with just one out. However, Bradley pitcher Alyson Spinas-Valainas got two strikeouts to bring the rally to an end.

Emma Johnson (5-2) was the losing pitcher for the Flashes, allowing just two earned runs on five hits in five innings. Johnson had nine strikeouts, but two walks and a hit batter led to three runs for the Braves. Alyssa Frankenfield entered in the sixth inning and retired all six batters she faced.

Duffy and Speers led Kent State's offense with two hits each. Duffy also walked to reach base in all three plate appearances and scored a run.

Kent State travels to Ann Arbor for a three-game series against No. 3 Michigan next weekend.