Game 1 on Saturday: Kent State 3, Michigan 0

Sophomore third baseman Maddy Grimm’s perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate helped the Kent State softball team defeat the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines, 3-0.

Grimm wasted no time getting things started. After senior outfielder Dani Ramos was hit by a pitch in the top of the first inning, Grimm then blasted a two-run home run into right field, which gave her team a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, Grimm walked up to the plate again and belted another pitch over the fence, giving her two for the day. The solo home run stretched the team’s lead to 3-0, which was more than enough to help secure the win.

Although Grimm had a hot day at the play, the team’s defense had a superb day as well. The Flashes held the Wolverines scoreless in the game and limited them to only three hits overall.

Senior pitcher Emma Johnson retired eight of the first 10 batters she faced on the day and picked up her sixth win of the season. Grimm finished the day with three hits, with two being home runs and three RBI.

Game 2 on Saturday: Michigan 10, Kent State 1

In the second game of their double-header, the Kent State softball team could not carry the momentum from the first game into the second game, as Michigan trampled them 10-1.

The Wolverines outhit the Flashes eight to four.

Kent State gave up three runs in both the third and fourth innings and never recovered after that. 

The team started to get a little momentum going in the top of the fifth inning, when Ramos rocketed a triple to centerfield, which brought freshman outfielder Emily Dobbin in to score the team’s only run.

Sophomore pitcher Ronnie Ladines suffered the loss in the game. Junior infielder Michele Duffy finished the day going 2-for-2 at the plate. 

Game 3 on Sunday: Michigan 4, Kent State 1

In their final game of a three-game series, Kent State dropped a narrow 4-1 contest to the Wolverines.

The team held a brief 1-0 lead, when Duffy hit a solo homerun over the left field wall. Unfortunately, that would be the only run Kent State would score.

In the top of the sixth inning, and the game tied at one apiece, the Flashes were threatening to score again. The bases were loaded with two outs, and it looked as if Kent State was going to take the lead back, but a popup to the catcher would ruin the scoring threat.

In the bottom of the sixth, Michigan took advantage of the Flashes’ inability to score. The Wolverines hit a pair of home runs and scored three runs to secure themselves the game.

The Flashes now stand at 12-6 on the season. The team will travel to Virginia this weekend to compete in the Liberty Classic and will play Princeton first. First pitch is set to be at 12:15 p.m.

Contact Quentin Smith at [email protected].