Flashes Round Out Incoming Class with Signing of Kirkpatrick

KENT, Ohio - The Kent State softball team rounded out its latest recruiting class with the addition of Kimberly Kirkpatrick (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls), who will join the Golden Flashes along with four other freshmen this fall. A three-time All-Ohio selection, Kirkpatrick was a left-handed shortstop in high school, but will likely see action in the outfield at Kent State. This week, she won the OHSAA’s distinguished Delores Billhardt Scholarship based on her scholastic record, personal achievement, school and community activities.

"Kim’s a very competitive, blue collar type of player, " Head Coach Karen Linder said. " She’s a lefty that can bunt and slap, but she can also swing for power. She’s definitely adding speed to our team and she’s also a very good student."

Kirkpatrick’s speed was especially evident last season, when she went 49-of-51 on stolen base attempts. She hit .585 in 2010 with 11 doubles. This past season, she recently earned an All-Ohio First Team selection for the second straight year, giving her all-state honors in three consecutive seasons.

Olmsted Falls finished 15-7 this past season and reached the Division I District finals, where Kirkpatrick’s accomplished high school career came to an end. Kirkpatrick earned All-Southwestern Conference First Team honors in all four seasons and was named conference MVP as a junior. She also claimed All-Northeast Ohio District First Team accolades in each of her last three seasons.

During the early signing period this past November, KSU inked pitcher Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio/Groveport), catcher Megan McCracken (Olathe, Kan./Olathe North) and outfielders Dani Ramos (South Euclid, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) and Ariele Patterson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill). Johnson recently joined Kirkpatrick on the All-Ohio Division I First Team, while Ramos claimed first team honors in Division II.