The Kent State softball team (16-23, 7-8 Mid-American Conference) hit three home runs to beat Miami University (23-17, 9-6) 3-2 in the series finale on Saturday. 

“We are happy to get the win,” coach Eric Oakley said after the game. “Especially the way the Mid-American Conference is right now because everybody is pretty tight so every win is going to be huge. We needed to get one today for sure after losing both yesterday. A win today keeps our head above water and keeps us in control of our own destiny which is important at this time of year.”

Junior shortstop Holly Speers led the game off with a home run over the center field wall to give the Flashes a 1-0 lead.  

The Flashes offense attack was felt throughout the rest of game as well, as Ronnie Ladines hit a home run to left field in the second inning, while Speers hit another home run in the sixth inning to center field.

“I’m hitting the ball well and took a good cut of the ball,” Speers said. “I got deep in the count. She was throwing some good pitches and I attacked it.”

Miami University’s Lauren Anderson hit a homerun to left field with one out in the seventh, but Ladines struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Ladines had two walks, six strikeouts and allowed one earned run. 

“It’s the third game of the series, you except hitters to put the ball in play more and more,” Ladines said. “We had some great defense and they did too.”

The Flashes’ defense made a huge double play in the sixth inning when Miami had runners on second and third.

The ball was hit to Speers at shortstop, who threw the ball to first base to get the batter at first out. The runner on second took off for third, but the initial base runner was still there. Paige McCrary made a quick toss to Kellie Abeska at second base to get the third out.

The Flashes take on Saint Francis (PA) this Wednesday at 3 p.m.