Kent State University
13-3
University of Montana
6-11
Softball Splits Pair Saturday at Husky Classic
3/5/2016 10:56:00 PM | Softball
SEATTLE, Wash. – After getting rained out on Friday, the Kent State softball team finally took the field at Husky Softball Stadium on Saturday and split its two games. The Golden Flashes (13-4) started the day with a 2-0 win over Montana and then fell to host #8/#7 Washington, 11-0, in five innings.
Game 1: Kent State 2, Montana 0
Janel Hayes and Ronnie Ladines combined for Kent State's fourth shutout of the season. Hayes, who improved to 4-3, pitched 5.2 scoreless innings. She had one strikeout and one walk while allowing five hits. Ladines retired all four batters she faced to earn her second save of the season, which included two strikeouts.
The Golden Flashes scored both of their runs in the bottom of the third inning. Hunter Brancifort and Michele Duffy hit back-to-back doubles to put the Flashes on the board. Duffy later scored on an error by the Montana rightfielder with two outs in the inning.
Kent State outhit Montana, 6-5. Duffy led the way with two hits. Emily Dobbin, who is from Vancouver, Wash., made her first career start as a position player in right field and collected her first career hit in front of friends and family in attendance.
Game 2: #8/#7 Washington 11, Kent State 0 (5 innings)
#8/#7 Washington put three runs on the board in each of the first two innings and homered twice on its way to its sixth run-rule victory on the season. The Huskies, which entered the weekend fourth in the country in runs per game, needed only seven hits to score 11 runs, as Kent State had three errors and starting pitcher Ronnie Ladines awarded six free bases on balls.
The Golden Flashes had a runner in scoring position in the top of the first inning after Maddy Grimm drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Washington pitcher Madi Schreyer was able to get a groundball to end the inning.
An error allowed the Huskies' first batter to reach in the bottom half of the first, and she scored on a double by the next batter. The next batter belted a two-run homer before Ladines settled down and retired the next three batters.
The Flashes let a scoring opportunity slip away in the top of the second after Shelbi Tilton led off with a double. Pinch runner Allie Luther moved to third on a groundout but was then thrown out after being caught in a rundown trying to go home during the next at-bat. Erika Warren ended up singling in that at-bat, which would have put Kent State on the board. Instead, the next batter grounded out to end the inning.
Four walks and a single allowed Washington to score two runs in the bottom of the second. A third run was added when the Flashes were unable to record the third out on a fielder's choice.
The Huskies scored an unearned run in the third and plated four in the fourth.
Ladines suffered her first loss of the season and fell to 8-1. She allowed nine earned runs on seven hits in four innings in the circle. Ladines had three strikeouts and issued six walks.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State concludes play at the Husky Classic on Sunday with two more games. The Flashes will play Bradley at 12 p.m. ET at Seattle University and then have a rematch with #8/#7 Washington at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hayes, Janel (4-3)
L: Stensby (0-4)
S: Ladines, Ronnie (2)
Base Running:
CS: Martinez 1
Batting:
2B: Duffy, Michele 1 ; Brancifort, Hunter 1
RBI: Duffy, Michele 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Duffy, Michele 1 ; Brancifort, Hunter 1
