Grimm Powers Flashes to Split on Opening Day of MAC Season

Friday, March 24

Ypsilanti, Mich.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

8-15, 0-1

Eastern Michigan

12-12, 1-0

Kent State

Eastern Michigan

Photo by: Sue Eckl

Grimm Powers Flashes to Split on Opening Day of MAC Season

3/24/2017 10:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Game 1 Game 2

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Kent State and Eastern Michigan split a doubleheader Friday afternoon as part of the Mid-American Conference series opener for both teams. After failing to hold on to a 5-0 and watching the host Eagles walk-off for a 6-5 victory in the first game of the day, the Golden Flashes used a big sixth inning to win via the run-rule in the nightcap, 11-3.

"It's certainly disappointing to lose the first game the way we did, but the team deserves a lot of credit for coming out in Game 2 and taking care of business," said head coach Eric Oakley. "In the MAC, every game is a battle. That is why winning back-to-back regular season titles is such a celebrated accomplishment. It was nice to get our bats going and save the day with a split. Maddy had a great day at the plate and both pitchers pitched well.

Kent State (9-14, 1-1 MAC) outhit Eastern Michigan, 13-11, and was awarded 15 bases via walks and hit batters, but eight errors on defense aided in five unearned runs on the day.

Senior Maddy Grimm homered in each game and totaled seven RBIs. Grimm was walked three times and scored three runs. Sophomore Bailey Brownfield led the Flashes with four hits and had two RBIs. Junior Allie Luther went 2-for-2 in two pinch hit appearances with a RBI.

Senior Ronnie Ladines appeared in the circle for Kent State in both games, totaling eight strikeouts while allowing two earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched.

Game 1: Eastern Michigan 6, Kent State 5
Back-to-back successful squeeze bunts completed a come-from-behind walk-off victory, 6-5, for Eastern Michigan in the first game of the day.

Kent State led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but five errors in the inning led to four unearned runs and opened the door for the host to win in the final at-bat.

The Flashes got on the board in the fourth inning when Kellie Abeska delivered a two-out single the opposite way to right field to bring in pinch runner Vanessa Vodan and Jen Cader.

Maddy Grimm launched a two-run home run to straightaway center in the fifth for a 2-0 lead.

Bailey Brownfield hit a bases-loaded single in the sixth, but aggressive base running resulted in an out at the plate to end the inning.

Pitcher Ronnie Ladines was able to pick up her defense and get back-to-back strikeouts to end the bottom of the with a 5-4 lead in tact.

Kent State could not add any insurance runs in the seventh despite loading the bases. The Flashes left eight on base for the game, including five in the final two innings.

After a lineout to short to start the final frame, Ladines issued a walk and then allowed a double to the warning track in left-center to put the winning run in scoring position. A bunt to third by the next batter was mishandled and no attempt was able to be made on the runner at the plate. The Eagles laid down another bunt and the ball popped free on a play at the plate to allow the winning run to score.

Brownfield led the way at the plate with three hits.

Ladines (3-9) suffered yet another tough loss. She had eight strikeouts and allowed only two earned runs in 6.1 innings.

Game 2: Kent State 11, Eastern Michigan 3 (6 innings)
Clinging to a 4-3 lead, Kent State pushed seven runs across the plate in the sixth inning and Ronnie Ladines retired the side in the bottom of the inning to clinch an 11-3 victory.

The Golden Flashes had just five hits in the game, but was capitalized on seven walks, a hit batter and three errors to make sure there was not a repeat of the opening game of the day.

Kent State's shaky defense continued in the first inning, as an error allowed the first batter to reach safely and a wild pitch on a stolen base attempt put her on third. A sac fly by the Eagles' second batter gave them an early 1-0 lead.

Nicole Teefy recorded the Flashes' first hit of the game in the third. Bailey Brownfield was then hit by a pitch before Emily Dobbin singled to load the bases. They did not stay loaded for long, as Maddy Grimm hit a grand slam to give Kent State a 4-1 lead.

Eastern Michigan scored two runs in the fourth inning to get within 4-3.

The Eagles' pitching staff struggled to put the ball over the plate in the top of the sixth, and the Flashes needed just two hits to score seven runs in the frame. Three walks, a ground out and an unsuccessful fielder's choice gave Kent State a 5-3 lead with the bases loaded. Brownfield brought in a run with a single and Dobbin hit a line drive up the middle that glanced off the shortstop's glove scored another run. Grimm and Ladines then drew walks to bring two more runs home. Another error and a single by Allie Luther scored the final two runs.

Dobbin and Grimm each scored two runs for the Flashes. Grimm was walked twice, including once intentionally.

Janel Hayes (6-3) recorded a pair of strikeouts without any walks in five innings in the circle. Hayes surrendered two earned runs on four hits. Ladines threw a perfect sixth inning in relief.

On Deck for the Flashes
The series rubber match between Kent State and Eastern Michigan is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.