Big Innings Aid Flashes in Saturday Sweep at FGCU Kickoff Classic

Saturday, February 13

Fort Myers, Fla.

1:30 p.m.

Kent State University

4-0

Middle Tennessee

2-2

Middle Tennessee

Kent State

Photo by: Dave Warren

Big Innings Aid Flashes in Saturday Sweep at FGCU Kickoff Classic

2/14/2016 12:17:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Kent State scored 9 of its 11 runs in two innings as it moved to 4-0 after a pair of wins on the second day of the FGCU Kickoff Classic. The Golden Flashes rallied to beat Middle Tennessee, 4-3 in the afternoon and then took care of Michigan State, 7-2, in the nightcap that ended shortly before midnight.

Kent State outhit its opponents, 18-11, on the day. Seniors Michele Duffy and Arika Roush led the way with three hits each, while sophomore Holly Speers and freshman Bailey Brownfield had two hits apiece. Brownfield had a team-high three RBIs and Roush drove in two runs and was hit by pitches on three occasions.

Game 1: Kent State 4, Middle Tennessee 3
Middle Tennessee struck early with two runs in the top of the first inning and added one more in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.

Kent State rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fourth, which began when Arika Roush was hit by a pitch. Roush was then retired as Maddy Grimm reached on a fielder's choice. Holly Speers singled to left field for the Golden Flashes' first hit of the game, and Shelbi Tilton followed with a single to load the bases. Bailey Brownfield cleared the bases with a double to tie the game and moved to third on an error. Brownfield then came home to score the go-ahead run on a bunt by Jen Cader.

"We got the hits we needed at the right time," said interim head coach Eric Oakley. "Holly and Shelbi had good at-bats to help load the bases, and then we got a timely gap shot from Bailey to tie it up."

Janel Hayes (1-0) threw a complete game for the Flashes, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. Hayes retired eight straight batters after Kent State took the lead. Middle Tennessee got a two-out single in the top of the seventh, but Hayes responded with her fifth strikeout to end the game.

"Janel had a strong outing and the defense played very well behind her. After we took the lead, she took over and sealed the win."

Game 2: Kent State 7, Michigan State 2
The fourth once again proved to be Kent State's inning, as the Golden Flashes plated five in the top of the fourth to take control against previously-unbeaten Michigan State. Shelbi Tilton got it started with a leadoff single. Vanessa Scoarste came in and stole second, then advanced to third on a single by Bailey Brownfield. After the Spartans recorded an out, Erika Warren hit the ball to the right side of the infield and an errant throw to the plate by the Michigan State first baseman allowed Warren to move to second and both runners to score. A hit batter and walk loaded the bases for Arika Roush, who single up to the middle to bring in two more runs and make it 4-0. Michele Duffy then scored on a wild pitch.

Holly Speers led off the fifth with a solo shot for her first home run of the season.

Michigan State got its first hit of the game with a double to lead off the bottom of the fifth. A two-out double brought in the Spartans' first run.

Maddy Grimm added an RBI double in the top of the sixth inning for the Flashes.

The Spartans capped the scoring with a run on three singles in the bottom of the sixth.

"This was a great team win," Oakley said. "Arika had a great game at the plate and really provided a spark with her hit in the fourth."

The Flashes totaled a season-high 12 hits. Roush went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the way and reached twice after being hit by a pitch. Duffy added two hits and scored twice.

Ronnie Ladines (3-0) threw her second complete game in as many starts and fanned a season-high 10 batters while not issuing any walks. Ladines allowed two runs on five hits.

"Ronnie continues to have good control in the circle," Oakley said. "Ten strikeouts and no walks is a stellar outing."

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will conclude opening weekend on Sunday against host Florida Gulf Coast a 1:30 p.m.