Ladines Shines in Split with Buckeyes

Wednesday, May 4

Columbus, Ohio

4:00 p.m.

Kent State University

33-18

Ohio State University

30-15-1

Kent State

Ohio State

Photo by: Dave Warren

5/4/2016 10:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Junior Ronnie Ladines crushed a grand slam and tossed a complete game for her 20th victory as Kent State won the opening game of a doubleheader, 6-3, Wednesday night at Buckeye Field. The Golden Flashes fought back from an early deficit in the nightcap, but the Buckeyes earned a 4-3 walk-off victory on a walk with the bases loaded.

Kent State (33-19) finishes the season with a 3-1 record against Big Ten schools with previous wins over Michigan State and Northwestern. Additionally, Kent State's athletics department concludes the 2015-16 academic year with a 3-1 record against Ohio State in head-to-head matchups with previous wins by field hockey and baseball.

Eight players contributed to 14 hits for the Flashes. Senior Erika Warren led the way in her return to the lineup with a 4-for-7 performance that included a clutch two-out double in the second game. Ladines only played in the first game and went 2-for-3. Sophomore Emily Dobbin and freshman Hunter Brancifort added two hits apiece.

Game 1: Kent State 6, Ohio State 3
Starting pitcher Ronnie Ladines spotted herself a 4-0 lead with a grand slam in the top of the first inning, her second in the last four games. Kent State did not need a hit to load the bases, as Arika Roush was hit by a pitch and Maddy Grimm and Shelbi Tilton drew walks.

Ohio State answered with a solo home run to start the bottom half of the frame.

The Golden Flashes added two more runs in the fifth inning. A hit batter, fielder's choice and single loaded the bases with one out. Nicki Cregan battled back from a 0-2 count to draw a walk and bring in a run. Erika Warren followed with a RBI single to right field that made it a 6-1 game.

The Buckeyes tried to rally, but could only score two runs in the final frame and fell 6-3.

Ladines (20-7) was nearly unhittable after allowing a leadoff homer, holding the Buckeyes scoreless until the seventh. She had four strikeouts and allowed just two earned runs on six hits and three walks.

Game 2: Ohio State 4, Kent State 3
Ohio State scored two runs in its first and last at-bats to secure a 4-3 walk-off victory.

The Buckeyes plated two in the bottom of the first inning on a single, double, fly out that advanced a runner and another single.

Kent State managed just three hits over the first five innings, but broke out the bats for three hits in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Erika Warren delivered a clutch two-out double to center field that brought in two runs and tied the game. Michele Duffy then sent the ball to right field, and a misplay by the Ohio State defense allowed her to reach safely and for Warren to come around and score to give Kent State its first lead, 3-2.

Starting pitcher Janel Hayes got into a groove in the middle innings. Hayes allowed just four hits without any walks while keeping the Buckeyes off the scoreboard from innings 2-6.

Ohio State started its rally with a single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh. A sacrifice bunt that advanced the runner and a strikeout put the Flashes within an out of the sweep. However, an intentional walk was followed by a single to right field that tied the game. Another intentional walk loaded the bases, and OSU's Emily Clark fouled off two pitches with a full count before watching ball four to give the hosts the walk-off win.

Hayes (11-12) was one off her career-high with five strikeouts. She walked three batters, all in the bottom of the seventh, and allowed nine hits.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State hosts rival Akron in a three-game series weekend at the Diamond at Dix to bring the regular season to a close. The Flashes are currently in first place in the Mid-American Conference standings. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.