Flashes Split Pair on Day Two of Maryland Round Robin
COLLEGE PARK, Md.- Kent State extended its winning streak to five games with a 5-3 victory over Rhode Island Saturday, before the host Terrapins nipped the Golden Flashes 2-1 on day two of the Maryland Round Robin Tournament. Maryland (15-6) needed two runs in the seventh to give the Flashes (9-10) their first loss of the weekend.
The Flashes picked up on their recent hot hitting in the second inning against Rhode Island. Kent State put up three runs on three hits in the second, including an RBI triple by freshman Ariele Patterson (Lawrenceville, Ga.) that drove in two runs. Senior Lauren Mokler's (Uniontown, Ohio) then drove in Patterson with a single to right.
The Rams put together three hits in the third, including a home run, trimming their deficit down to 3-2.
The Flashes got a home run of their own from senior Mary Holt (Providence, R.I.) to lead off the sixth. A walk to sophomore Caitie Kilbane (Westerville, Ohio) and a sacrifice bunt by freshman Dani Ramos (Euclid, Ohio), set up another RBI single by Mokler.
Rhode Island came back with a solo home run in the sixth, but relief pitcher Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) struck out the next three batters swinging. Abernathy fanned seven batters in 4.1 innings of relief to earn the victory.
Kent State totaled nine hits in the game and did not commit an error for the third straight contest. The Flashes then played error free once again against Maryland.
Terrapin pitcher Kendra Knight held the Flashes to three hits and improved to 9-2 on the season. Kent State left two runners on in the fifth and left the bases loaded in the sixth. Knight had back-to-back strikeouts in the sixth and left a total of eight runners on base.
Freshman Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio) was nearly just as impressive inside the circle, not allowing a run in the first six innings. She then retired the first two batters in the seventh, before surrendering a walk and a two-run homer. Johnson fanned 12 batters in seven innings.
Sophomore Kim Morgason (Grove City) brought the Kent State dugout to life with a solo homer to center to lead off the bottom of the seventh. But it would turn out to be the final hit of the game.
Sophomore Alex Marcantonio (North Canton, Ohio) and senior Shannon Laughlin (Fairview Park, Ohio) had the other two hits against Knight.
The Golden Flashes will play a rematch with Maryland Sunday at 12:30 and will take on the host Terrapins at 5:30.
