The Kent State softball team went 0-5 in the Queen City Classic last week in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Flashes relied on the offense, bringing in a total of 14 runs over the five game stretch. They gave up 45 runs.

“We’ve been hitting the ball well, and we just got to put ourselves in a better position,” coach Eric Oakley said. “Really with the injuries that we’ve had to the pitching staff and the kind of inexperience of players that we are asking to pitch, it’s just going to take us some time to find the right pitching rotation to keep us in games longer.”

Boston University shut out KSU 8-0 in the first game of the classic. Kent State totaled just two hits in the game and gave up eight hits.

The Flashes took on Penn State in game two. KSU was able to get on the board but was overpowered by the Nittany Lions, losing 11-2 in six innings.

Junior catcher Emily Lippe scored Kent State’s only runs on a two-run homer to left field, scoring catcher Bri Despines. The home run extended Lippe’s hitting streak to seven games, and it was her fourth homer on the season.

“She’s comfortable in the box and she’s being patient and selecting good pitches,” Oakley said. “That’s a positive thing.”

Kent State faced Georgia Tech in game three in its closest matchup of the tournament.

The Flashes found themselves in a 7-0 hole after the top of the third inning. They answered back with six runs in the bottom of the third.

Despines started the Flashes on the board with a single, scoring two runners. Sophomore infielder Delaney Robeson then tied the game with one swing of the bat on a grand slam to left center field. This was her second home run of the season.

Lippe extended her hitting streak with a two-run RBI double to center field, moving the Flashes in front 8-7 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Georgia Tech answered with two runs in the top of the seventh. Kent State was unable to respond.

In game four, the Flashes took on Charlotte and lost 10-0 in five innings to the Niners.

Kent State produced six hits with one error and surrendered 13 hits. Lippe’s hitting streak came to an end.

The Flashes wrapped up the tournament with their second matchup against Georgia Tech. Kent State managed to put runs on the board but fell short, 7-4.

Kent State took a 2-0 lead off a RBI double by senior infielder Julia Mazanec and a walk by Lippe with bases loaded.

Georgia Tech answered with four runs in the fifth inning and three in the top of the seventh. Lippe hit a two-run homerun to put the Flashes within three in the bottom of the seventh, but Kent State was out hit 13-6.

The Flashes play next in the Thundering Herd Round Robin Tournament in West Virginia. First pitch against Morehead State is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Josh Aponte is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].