Flashes Close Out Regular Season with Loss at Ohio
ATHENS, Ohio- Kent State's recent struggles continued Sunday in a 6-0 loss at Ohio to close out the regular season. The Bobcats (28-27, 14-8) pulled away in the bottom of the fourth with a grand slam to take a 5-0 lead.
Sophomores Caitie Kilbane (Westerville, Ohio) and Abbey Ledford (West Liberty, Ohio) and senior Jess Blanton (Wheelersburg, Ohio) all singled, but the Golden Flashes (26-28, 11-11) were unable to string together two hits in an inning.
Ohio starter Kaylin Clarke recorded only two strikeouts over seven innings, but forced 12 ground balls that resulted in outs.
Prior to the fourth, junior starter Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) retired six straight batters. A leadoff single by Alexis Joseph and back-to-back walks set up a pinch hit grand slam by Chelsea Hortman.
Sophomore Lauren McNeil (Akron, Ohio) tossed the fifth and sixth innings, allowing one run.
Kent State will open the Mid-American Conference Championships Wednesday against Central Michigan at 1:30 p.m. inside Firestone Stadium. The winner takes on Bowling Green later that night, while the loser plays in an elimination game Thursday at 11 a.m.
