Warren’s Home Run Leads Softball to Best Start Since 1990

Sunday, February 21

Spartanburg, S.C.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

9-1

University of South Carolina - Upstate

6-1

Kent State

USC Upstate

Photo by: Dave Warren

Warren’s Home Run Leads Softball to Best Start Since 1990

2/21/2016 4:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Erika Warren hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning and Ronnie Ladines allowed just one run to lead Kent State to a 2-1 victory over previously-unbeaten USC Upstate on Sunday afternoon.

"USC Upstate is a great program, and we feel good about this win," said interim head coach Eric Oakley. "Defensively we made some outstanding plays. Maddy Grimm did an excellent job this weekend at shortstop and Hunter Brancifort came in and gave us the solid corner we needed. We showed our depth this weekend, and that will be key as the season continues."

Kent State improves to 9-1 through the first two weekends of the season, matching the 1990 team that reached the Women's College World Series for the best 10-game start in program history.

"Our success early this season can be directly attributed to our senior leadership," Oakley said. "Alyssa Frankenfield, Arika Roush, Erika Warren, Michele Duffy, Nicki Cregan, and Shelbi Tilton have brought great energy, positivity and discipline to every practice and game. They have mentored our freshmen, and guided the team to buy in to changes as well as honor traditions. We are happy with early wins, but we remain a team with one primary goal of a MAC Championship."

A leadoff triple in the bottom of the first inning was all that stood between Ladines and her third shutout of the season. After the Spartans' second batter struck out, the runner was able to score on a sacrifice fly to center field.

Jen Cader gave the Golden Flashes their first hit of the game with a two-out double in the top of the second, and Warren crushed the ball over the wall in left field to take a 2-1 lead. USC Upstate starting pitcher Holly McKinnon appeared rattled by the blast and walked the next two Kent State batters before getting out of the frame with a strikeout.

Kent State outhit USC Upstate, 6-5, but left eight runners on base. Warren led the way with two hits.

Ladines (6-0) threw a complete game and recorded six strikeouts without any walks. She allowed just one run on five hits to a Spartans offense that entered the day with a .468 batting average and averaged nearly 11 runs over their first six games of the season.

"Ronnie and Erika were a great combination today," Oakley said of his team's battery. "They faced a tough lineup and were able to hold them to one run."

Kent State will head to Louisville, Ky. next weekend (Feb. 26-28) for five games at the Louisville Black and Red Classic.

2016 Upstate Invitational All-Tournament Team
Ronnie Ladines, Kent State
Erika Warren, Kent State
Michele Duffy, Kent State
Amanda Storch, USC Upstate
Brittany Case, USC Upstate
Ryan Rector, USC Upstate
Hannah Reynolds, Furman
Candace Johnson, Furman
AnnaRose Borelli, Furman
Alyssa Nicholas, Akron
Kayla Schlosser, Akron
Cortni Jones, Savannah State
Sarah Hartley, Oakland
Markell Wylie, N.C. Central