The Kent State softball team continued its losing streak after an 0-3 weekend against Ball State.
“I really feel like our pitchers need to help our hitters,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I don’t think it’s a lack of talent, I don’t think it’s a lack of preparation. I think maybe we just got to get tougher mentally.”
KSU (7-28, 0-11) lost 14-1 in the first game of the weekend on Friday.
“I think our offense is doing everything it needs to do to help keep us alive, but it’s coming down to the pitching,” O’Donnell said. “We just need our pitchers to help keep us in games.”
The Cardinals (24-10, 9-4) had an eight-run second inning that helped them take the 14-0 lead.
The Flashes were close to victory in game two, but lost 16-15.
“I thought that our offense really showed up in games two and three,” O’Donnell said.
KSU was down 10-0 in the bottom of the third, but started to rally soon after.
“I was super impressed with the team’s effort to fight,” O’Donnell said. “I continue to talk about the fight in this team, and that they’re not quitting, they’re not giving up.”
Senior utility player Savannah Wing scored a home run.
“I was super impressed with Savannah Wing this weekend,” O’Donnell said. “She hit the ball very well, and she’s a senior that came in clutch many, many times. I looked forward to her coming up to the plate because I felt like she was super locked in.”
Ball State scored five runs in the top of the fourth, leading 15-5.
The Flashes scored five runs to extend the game.
KSU lost 12-6 on Saturday for the last game of the weekend.
Up next
Kent State will travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., over the weekend to play Central Michigan (16-17, 8-4) in a three-game series.
“I think it’s definitely going to be another tough battle,” O’Donnell said. “They’re doing really well.”
The last time KSU played Central Michigan, the Flashes lost 11-2.
“We really need to continue to get better offensively to help us stay in games,” O’Donnell said. “Pitching wise, we need to have a good game plan, going after their pitchers or going after their hitters. We need to figure out where their weaknesses are, study them and capitalize on them.”
Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
