The Kent State softball team continued its losing streak, as the team went 0-3 over the weekend against Central Michigan. 

“I felt like we were right there, we just need to finish,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “We need our pitching to keep us in the game.”

The Flashes (7-31, 0-14) lost 7-3 in their first game of the weekend on Friday. 

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Kendal Leitner hit her second home run of the season.

“I thought Kendal Leitner did a really good job this weekend,” O’Donnell said. “She had the big home run, and that was crucial. She’s a really good team player, and she made things happen.”

The Chippewas scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. 

Senior pitcher Delaney Nagy held Central Michigan at the plate for three innings. 

“I think it’s optimistic knowing that Central Michigan is the number two team in the conference, and we played right there with them,” O’Donnell said. 

Kent State lost 4-3 in the first game on Saturday. 

Sophomore infielder Megan Claerhout led the Flashes with four hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. 

“I thought Megan Claerhout had a really good weekend,” O’Donnell said. “She led our team in batting average, and almost every time she came up to the plate, she was doing something for us offensively.”

Central Michigan had two doubles in the bottom of the sixth.

The Flashes lost 12-4 in the second game on Saturday. 

“I thought we did a good job not letting the last game affect the next one or the next at bat,” O’Donnell said.

This was a short, five-inning game.

Central Michigan took the lead in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run.

The Chippewas scored eight runs in the bottom of the third to take the 10-4 lead and added two more runs in the fourth.

Up next

Kent State will host Buffalo at home for a doubleheader on Tuesday. The first game will start at 1 p.m. and the second game will start at 3 p.m.

“We have to continue to study batters, have a game plan and have trust in our pitches,” O’Donnell said.

The Flashes were 1–1 during the last series against the Bulls. 

“The key is going to be for us to score early and try to keep scoring consistently throughout the games,” O’Donnell said.

Buffalo is 9-26 overall and 4-10 in the conference. 

“I think we have to continue to have an offensive mindset, score and make things happen.” 

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].