Flashes Fall to Northern Illinois in Pitchers’ Duel

Thursday, May 12

Akron, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

36-21

Northern Illinois University

35-18

Northern Illinois

Kent State

Photo by: Mid-American Conference

Flashes Fall to Northern Illinois in Pitchers’ Duel

5/12/2016 6:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

AKRON, Ohio – Junior Ronnie Ladines recorded nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits Thursday afternoon as Kent State lost to Northern Illinois, 2-0, in a Mid-American Conference Softball Championship second round matchup at Firestone Stadium.

The Golden Flashes (36-21) now need to win five games on Friday and Saturday to capture the third MAC Softball Championship crown in program history.

Northern Illinois' first hit of the game proved to be the difference, as Emily Naegle gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead with a home run to left field in the fourth inning.

"It was disappointing," said interim head coach Eric Oakley. "Ronnie pitched a great game, and we didn't do anything to help. We didn't make adjustments, and that was the difference in the game. If we do what we're supposed to do on offense, then we're talking about Ronnie throwing a great two-hitter and us having a win."

Kent State made good contact throughout the game. The Flashes only struck out once and outhit Northern Illinois, 4-2. Senior Shelbi Tilton led the way with two hits, including her 10th double of the season.

The Flashes were unable to come up with the timely hits needed, however, and left six runners on base. They had the bases loaded in the second inning and left runners on the corners in the fifth.

Ladines (23-9) was sensational with the exception of one pitch to Naegle and kept the Flashes in the game. After a single and an error put runners on the corners for NIU with no outs in the fifth, Ladines punched out the next three batters to keep the deficit at two runs.

Kent State appeared to get on the board to start the bottom of the sixth inning when junior Maddy Grimm sent a shot to center field, but NIU's Caitlyn Warren made a spectacular leaping catch and held on as she crashed through the portable fence.

Tilton doubled later in the inning, but was left at second base.

Top-seeded Kent State plays an elimination game on Friday at 1 p.m. against the winner of Thursday evening's game between No. 6 Akron and No. 7 Toledo.