The Kent State softball team went 0-3 against Miami University (OH) (12-14, 3-0) over the weekend for the start of Mid-American Conference play.
“I think that they went in with the mindset that Miami won the last four years in a row,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I told them to just focus on what we can do, do the best at that and not focus on what the other team is doing.”
KSU (7-18, 0-2) lost 7-1 for the first game of the weekend on Friday.
“I thought we came out flat on Friday,” O’Donnell said. “I’m not sure whether it was because it’s the beginning of MAC play and we were a little timid, or maybe just uncertain of what the MAC was like, considering we have so many new people and not knowing what that sort of play is like.”
This was Kent State’s first time playing at home this season.
“I think we came out a little hesitant on Friday, and that showed in our play and in the results that we had as the weekend sort of progressed,” O’Donnell said.
Sophomore Megan Claerhout went 3-4 and drove in a pair of runs.
“I thought Megan Claerhout had a really great weekend,” O’Donnell said. “She had hits in every single game. She was focused and found a way to get it done. She’s very aggressive at the plate.”
Senior utility player Savannah Wing hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh to help the Flashes not get shut out.
“When we went down big, she fought back and got that home run,” O’Donnell said.
The Flashes lost 14-3 during the second game of the day. It was a five-inning game.
“Defensively, we have to be sharper, have better first steps, cover more ground and make good, accurate throws,” O’Donnell said.
The RedHawks launched six home runs and led 13-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning.
KSU lost 14-9 in the last game of the weekend on Saturday.
Up next
Over the weekend, the Flashes will travel to play Bowling Green.
“This week, our pitchers are going to be getting after it again, probably focused heavily on hitting spots, attacking their batters and what we have a scout on them for,” O’Donnell said.
The Falcons are 6-17 overall this season with a 1-2 record against MAC opponents. BGSU is in ninth place in the conference out of 11 teams.
Kent State is 11th in the MAC.
“Playing our game is going to be big, not playing to the opponent,” O’Donnell said.
Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].