Softball Takes Two Behind Stellar Pitching Performances

Saturday, February 8

Long Beach, Calif.

2:30 p.m.

Kent State University

3-0

George Washington University

0-4

Kent State

George Washington

Kim Kirkpatrick

Photo by: David Dermer

Softball Takes Two Behind Stellar Pitching Performances

2/8/2014 9:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Kent State pitchers Ronnie Ladines and Emma Johnson combined to allow just two earned runs as the softball team won both of its games at the Mizuno Invitational on Saturday. The Flashes (4-0) never trailed in a 6-4 victory over George Washington, while a fifth inning rally was needed to defeat host Long Beach State in the nightcap, 3-2.

"Our pitchers did a great job today," said head coach Karen Linder. "I feel our defense could have been better, but I am really proud of how our offense responded every time we gave up runs."

The Flashes scored in their first at-bat for the third consecutive game. Junior Kim Kirkpatrick got it started with a leadoff single and came around to score on a single by sophomore Shelbi Tilton to give Kent State a 1-0 lead.

Tilton drove in another run in the third with a double to left center. Freshman Maddy Grimm made it 3-0 in the fourth when her single to right brought sophomore Chloe Kesterson around to score.

Ladines cruised through the first four innings of her collegiate debut before a couple of defensive mistakes allowed the Colonials to get on the board. A two-out single by Jillian Gallich scored two runs, both unearned. The lead runner had reached on a fielding error and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball.

Senior Caitie Kilbane started a three-run seventh for the Flashes with a pinch-hit ground-rule double. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, she scored on a single by Kirkpatrick. Two batters later, Grimm added a triple that scored two more runs.

The Colonials answered with two runs in their final at-bat. With only one out in the inning, senior Lauren McNeil entered and retired both batters she faced for second save of the season.

Ladines (1-0) threw 5.2 innings to earn the first victory of her college career. She did not allow an earned run on four hits and had five strikeouts.

Against the host 49ers, Johnson (2-0) was literally unhittable for the majority of the game. She allowed just two hits, both in the top of the fourth inning. Those two hits, combined with a hit batter and a walk, allowed Long Beach State to score twice and take a 2-1 lead.

The Flashes took a 1-0 lead in the third. Senior Abbey Ledford was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning. A single by Kirkpatrick and sac bunt by junior Dani Ramos moved Ledford to third. A groundout to second by Grimm allowed her to score.

Trailing in the bottom of the fifth, Kirkpatrick came through once again with a double that scored Ledford to tie the game. She then scored the go-ahead run on a successful double-steal attempt with two outs.

"Kim Kirkpatrick had a great day at the plate and was a huge spark for our team today in both games," Linder said.

Kirkpatrick went 5-for-8 on the day with two doubles, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base. Grimm also had a big day for the Flashes, going 3-for-7 and driving in four runs.

Kent State concludes opening weekend at the Mizuno Invitational against host Long Beach State at 1 p.m. Sunday.