Softball Captures Second MAC Series Sweep

Saturday, April 23

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

27-15, 10-6

University at Buffalo

14-29, 8-8

Buffalo

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

4/23/2016 6:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

KENT, Ohio – First-inning home runs and stellar pitching propelled Kent State to a doubleheader sweep of Buffalo on Saturday at the Diamond at Dix. The Golden Flashes won the first game, 8-0 in five innings, and then went on for a 4-1 win to finish their second Mid-American Conference series sweep of the year.

"Anytime you can sweep a conference sweep, it's nice," said interim head coach Eric Oakley. "We came in tied with Buffalo, so this helps us out a lot in the standings. Our hitters were patient but aggressive. When they saw good pitches, they went after them. When have a good approach at the palte, we tend to have good results."

Starting pitchers Ronnie Ladines and Janel Hayes combined to hold Buffalo to only one run on six hits to earn complete game victories.

"Having two quality pitchers really helps us in this new three-game format," Oakley said. "We can throw them in any combination we want and feel like we have a chance to win."

Both Ladines and Hayes had the advantage of pitching with the lead from the second inning-on courtesy of the long ball. Sophomore Holly Speers cranked a two-run shot in the first inning of Game 1 and junior Maddy Grimm hot a solo shot in the first inning of Game 2. The MAC's top home run duo now has 11 and 15 home runs this season, respectively.

The Flashes collected 12 hits on the day, with sophomore Holly Speers and junior Maddy Grimm leading the way with three hits each. Speers hit a home run, drove in two runs and scored three runs. Grimm also hit a home run for her only RBI and scored two runs. Ladines went 2-for-4 at the plate with a team-high three RBIs and also reached twice on walks.

Game 1: Kent State 8, Buffalo 0
Ronnie Ladines (16-6) recorded her fifth shutout of the season and allowed only two hits in the opening game of the day. Ladines struck out five batters and walked just one.

Holly Speers gave Kent State a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a home run to straightaway center field, scoring Maddy Grimm, who was hit by a pitch after the first two batters of the inning struck out.

The Golden Flashes broke the game open with five two-out runs in the third. A hit batter and single by Holly Speers put Hunter Brancifort in scoring position. Shelbi Tilton followed with a single through the left side to score Brancifort. After a wild pitch advanced both runners, a throwing error by the shortstop allowed them to score. A walk ensued and Michele Duffy brought in two more runs with a double make it a 7-0 game.

Needing one run for the run-rule to take effect, the Flashes loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning. A fielder's choice cut down a run at the plate for the second out of, but Ladines then drew a walk to bring in Bailey Brownfield for an 8-0 lead.

Ladines got two groundouts and a strikeout in the top of the fifth to end the game. She retired the final eight batters she faced.

Leading the offense was Speers, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Grimm and Tilton both went 1-for-2 and reached base twice with a run scored.

Game 2: Kent State 4, Buffalo 1
Kent State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run by Maddy Grimm.

Kiley Harrison singled to start the third and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Buffalo recorded the second out of the inning, Grimm hit a rocket shot that the first baseman somehow managed to knock down. The first baseman then picked up the ball and fired to third in any attempt to retire Harrison, who had strayed away from the base. The throw was too high, however, and Harrison scored.

Buffalo got on the board with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The Golden Flashes provided two insurance runs in the sixth thanks two three straight walks about a pair of outs to start the frame. Ronnie Ladines continued her big day with a single through the left side that scored two runs.

Janel Hayes (11-11) retired nine straight after loading the bases in the third inning and limited the Bulls to just four hits.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State concludes its seven-game homestand on Wednesday against Youngstown State. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Diamond at Dix.