Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Flashes and Huskies Open Series Saturday
4/8/2017 9:47:00 AM | Softball
Kent State will play its first weekend series at the Diamond at Dix against Mid-American Conference West Division favorite Northern Illinois. A doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday with the finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. Jacob Pavilack will have the call on Golden Flashes iHeart Radio.
It is a pivotal series for both the Golden Flashes (14-19, 4-4 MAC) and Huskies (16-14, 4-4 MAC) if they are going to make a run at the division titles they were predicted to win prior to the season. Kent State looks to join Ball State (2012-14) as the only schools to win three consecutive MAC regular season championships.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, April 8
2:00 p.m. Northern Illinois at Kent State
4:00 p.m. Northern Illinois at Kent State
Sunday, April 9
1:00 p.m. Northern Illinois at Kent State
Last Time Out
Kent State opened its home schedule by splitting a doubleheader with Ohio on Tuesday. After managing just two hits in a 6-0 Game 1 loss, the Flashes launched five home runs in Game 2 to win, 7-1.
Senior Maddy Grimm had two hits in each game, including her seventh career multi-home run game in Game 2. Grimm, who had three RBIs, collected both of the Flashes' hits off 2016 MAC Pitcher of the Year Savannah Jo Dorsey in Game 1 and then belted a two-run shot in the bottom of the first in Game 2.
Junior Emily Dobbin hit laser off the scoreboard to start the third, and Grimm followed with her second home run to make it 4-0.
Kent State hit back-to-back homers again in the fifth, starting with a two-run shot by senior Ronnie Ladines. Sophomore Jen Cader added a home run to make it 7-1.
In the circle, Ladines allowed just one run to go with five strikeouts to earn the victory in Game 2. Freshman Madi Huck continued her strong start to conference play by not allowing a hit in one inning of Game 1.
Series History vs. Northern Illinois
• Kent State is 23-29 all-time vs. Northern Illinois.
• The teams split four games last season with the Golden Flashes winning two of three in DeKalb (1-4, 7-5, 4-3)and the Huskies winning in a MAC Tournament second round game (0-2).
• NIU outscored KSU, 14-12, over the four games with the help of five home runs.
• Four of those home runs came off the bat of Emily Naegle, who batted .500 with seven RBIs and six walks against the Flashes.
• Alex Frenz went 2-1 for NIU with a 1.00 ERA over 21 innings.
• Shelbi Tilton led KSU's offense with a .462 batting average and three doubles.
• Maddy Grimm batted .385 with three runs scored, a double and a home run. Grimm's solo homer in the top of the seventh gave the Flashes the series victory in DeKalb.
• CF Caitlin Warren made the play of the year for NIU in the MAC Tournament, making a catch while falling through the portable fence to rob Grimm of a home run and maintain a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State heads down to Athens for the final game of the season series against Ohio on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
