Flashes Season Ends in Loss to Miami
AKRON, Ohio- Kent State's season came to an end at the hands of Miami during third day of the Mid-American Conference Championships Friday at Firestone Stadium. The Golden Flashes (27-30) got themselves in an early three-run hole they could not climb out of in the 5-1 loss.
The RedHawks' three-run first came with the help of two walks and two infield errors. The second error came with two outs, the bases loaded and Miami up 1-0. A runner going from second to third shielded Alex Marcantonio's (North Canton, Ohio) view at shortstop and appeared to make contact with her as the ball got through and Miami would put up two more runs in the inning.
"That call totally changed the complexion of the game," Head Coach Karen Linder said. "But you've got to overcome those situations."
Two more walks and a single in the third led to another Miami run and freshman Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio) came on in relief for junior Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.).
In the bottom of the third, infield singles by senior Mary Holt (Providence, R.I.) and freshman Kim Kirkpatrick (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) set up a two-out RBI single by junior Lauren Grimes (Tallmadge, Ohio) through the right side. Two-time MAC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Simpson got senior Jess Blanton (Wheelersburg, Ohio) pop up and end the threat.
Miami added another run in the sixth. Simpson fanned five, while Johnson struck out six in 4.2 innings of relief.
"I still thought we were in it at the end," Linder said. "Our offense has the potential to be explosive. We just didn't come through with big hits."
Kirkpatrick went 2-for-2 with a walk.
Kent State's 75 doubles on the year tied for the third most in program history, while its 240 runs scored were the fourth most. The Flashes' 388 hits were the fifth most and 45 home runs were the fourth most.
