The Kent State softball team snapped an 11-game win streak following a weekend split with Miami, as the Flashes beat the RedHawks 9-1 on Saturday before losing 4-3 on Sunday.

Saturday, April 4: Kent State 9, Miami 1

Freshman shortstop Holly Speers and sophomore third baseman Maddy Grimm totaled seven hits, seven RBI and three home runs to lead the Flashes to their eleventh consecutive win Saturday.

“Holly and Maddy were hot at the plate,” coach Karen Linder said in a press release. “The entire lineup contributed.”

Speers opened up the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the second inning before hitting her second home run in the third, bringing in three more runs.

The Flashes would hold the RedHawks scoreless in the next inning before recording another solo home run in the fourth from sophomore pitcher Ronnie Ladines.

Senior pitcher Emma Johnson (12-3) allowed only three hits and one run in the fifth inning, making the score 6-1.

Kent State would go on to score three more runs in the last inning of the game.

“We are playing really well and with a lot of confidence right now,” Linder said. “Emma and (junior catcher) Erika (Warren) did an excellent job of shutting down Miami’s offense.”

Sunday, April 5: Miami 4, Kent State 3

Ladines (7-4) would start on the mound as the Flashes headed into the second game against Miami Sunday.

The Flashes defense allowed all four Miami runs in the third inning to give Miami a 4-1 lead heading into the fourth.

Two walks and two hit batters would earn the Flashes two more runs in the fourth, but that would not be enough as Kent State would not score again.

Johnson’s success this season continued as she replaced Ladines and recorded five strikeouts and three hits in 3.1 scoreless innings.

Linder said this was not how they wanted to end the weekend.

“We had opportunities to take the lead, and we did not capitalize,” Linder said. “Miami was able to take advantage of our mistakes, and that was the difference.” ​

The Flashes (23-7, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) will head to Pittsburgh for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

 Contact Zac Sommer at [email protected].