Kent State softball wins Green and White Tournament with weekend sweep

Kent State softball pitcher Emma Johnson pitching in the first game against Toledo in a double-header on April 18, 2014. The Flashes won 13-0 the first game and 1-0 the second game.

The Kent State softball team traveled to Myrtle Beach to compete in the Green and White tournament Friday, and came away with four victories to add to their six straight wins.

After a weekend slate of tournaments got cancelled last weekend, the Flashes opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory over UNC Charlotte, and then beat Robert Morris, 5-1, in the second game of Saturday’s double-header.

Senior pitcher Emma Johnson recorded her first shutout of the season against the 49ers, striking out 12 batters and only allowing three hits. Charlotte could not get a hit off Johnson until the fifth inning.

Kent State’s solid pitching carried over into the second game against Robert Morris.  Sophomore pitcher Ronnie Ladines threw a complete game with four strikeouts and allowed five hits.

Senior Kim Kirkpatrick proved to be an offensive ignition for the Flashes. She opened up with a single up the middle, then stole second and moved to third off of a Robert Morris error. Sophomore Maddy Grimm then brought Kirkpatrick home with a single up the middle.

Kirkpatrick started a two-run third with a leadoff double. A single from senior Dani Ramos and a groundout from Grimm moved runners into scoring position. The two runners both touched home after a throwing error by Robert Morris.

The Flashes success continued, in drastically different ways, into Sunday’s double-header as they defeated St. Bonaventure 1-0 in the first game and 18-4 in the second game.

Grimm’s RBI single to right field allowed Kirkpatrick to score the Flashes only run in the fifth inning. Johnson recorded her second shutout of the season to secure the first win Sunday.

Kent State scored 18 runs in the second game Sunday afternoon, completing the weekend sweep and winning the Green and White Tournament.

The Flashes travel to Orlando Friday to compete in the UCF Knights Invitational.

Contact Zac Sommer at [email protected].