Pitching Limits Potent Panther Offense in Pair of Losses

Wednesday, April 20

Kent, Ohio

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

25-16

University of Pittsburgh

29-15

Pittsburgh

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Pitching Limits Potent Panther Offense in Pair of Losses

4/20/2016 8:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State pitching staff limited one of the nation's top offenses to only four runs and a .212 batting average in a doubleheader on Wednesday, but Pittsburgh left the Diamond at Dix with a sweep. The Panthers won the first game of the twinbill, 1-0, and took the nightcap, 3-2.

"We got great performances from our pitchers against a very talented offensive team," said interim head coach Eric Oakley, whose team fell to 25-17. "We had to switch our system a little bit and Ronnie [Ladines] and Janel [Hayes] both adjusted really well. They did exactly what we needed them to do, and I am extremely proud of both of them. Unfortunately, we didn't get the job done on offense. We struggled to come through with timely hits like we did this past weekend, and we have to find a solution for that going forward."

Juniors Ronnie Ladines and Janel Hayes were both impressive in complete game efforts for Kent State despite the losses. Facing a Pittsburgh team that ranks in the top 20 nationally in several offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, scoring and home runs, the duo allowed only 11 hits and provided the Golden Flashes' offense with opportunities to win both games.

Kent State collected 10 hits on the day, led by three singles from Ladines. Junior Maddy Grimm, who only started one game, went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Senior Shelbi Tilton also had two hits for the Flashes.

Game 1: Pittsburgh 1, Kent State 0
Jenna Modic's solo homer to start the fourth inning provided the Panthers with the game's only run.

Kent State had its best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth by loading the bases with only one out on a walk and two singles, but a dribbler to the right side allowed the Panthers to record an out at the plate and a long fly ball brought the inning to a close.

Ronnie Ladines (14-6) was the tough-luck loser, allowing just one run and five hits. She recorded three strikeouts and two walks.

Ladines also led the Flashes' offense with two singles. Shelbi Tilton provided Kent State's other hit, also a single.

Game 2: Pittsburgh 3, Kent State 2
All five runs of the game were scored in the opening three innings before pitching dominated the rest of the way.

Pittsburgh scored once in the top of the first inning on a leadoff single, sacrifice bunt and another single.

Kent State answered in the bottom half of the inning. Arika Roush was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to third on a single by Maddy Grimm. Roush scored on a single by Shelbi Tilton, and Grimm moved to third on a fielder's choice that placed runners on the corners. However, a nice defensive play on a chopper to the third baseman ended the inning.

A two-out walk in the second inning, the only free pass issued by starting pitcher Janel Hayes, proved costly as the next batter hit a double down the left field line to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead.

The Panthers added another two-out run on a solo blast by Georgianna Zeremenko in the third inning to go ahead 3-1.

Grimm collected her second hit of the game with a double to start the bottom of the third. A fly ball to right field allowed Grimm to move to third base, and she scored on a sacrifice fly by Ronnie Ladines to get within 3-2.

The Flashes had runners aboard on singles in both the sixth and seventh innings, but base running mistakes led to both players being retired.

Hayes (10-11) was sensational in the circle over the final four innings, facing just one batter more than the minimum. She finished the game with two strikeouts and allowed three runs on six hits.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State continues its homestand at the Diamond at Dix this weekend with a three-game series against Buffalo. First pitch of a single game on Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m.