Kent State started quickly by scoring 13 runs in their first game, but they still ended up finishing with a split of the four games played at the Class Act Federal Union Classic in Louisville.

“We started the day with such a great win against Iowa State,” Kent State head coach Karen Linder said. “That was one of the best offensive performances we have had in the last three years. Dani Ramos and Abbey Ledford were both great at the plate today. And defensively, Dani made a great diving catch for a double-play in the sixth. The bottom of the order did a great job of being productive, led by Kim Morgason, Ariele Patterson and Jessacca Gironda.”

The Flashes (12-9) opened up the tournament by scoring five quick runs in the first inning against Iowa State (15-7). The Cardinals never got back into the contest as they called the game after six innings in favor of the Flashes, 13-4.

Senior Kim Morgason led the Flashes with three hits, including a double and a triple.  Freshman Maddy Grimm had two hits one of which was a homerun. Senior Abbey Ledford and junior Ariele Patterson both finished the game with two hits and two runs batted in as well.

The Flashes struggled to score runs in their second game of the tournament against the tournament hosting Louisville Cardinals and fell, 2-1.

“In the second game, we missed a couple of scoring opportunities,” Linder said. “We had too many strikeouts and defensive miscues to beat a good team like Louisville.”

The Flashes allowed Louisville to score two unearned runs in the fourth inning after a throwing error by third baseman Michele Duffy.

Kent State managed to get a run in the fifth inning after senior Abbey Ledford hit a double to bring in Grimm, but the Flashes were unable to get the second run they needed to force extra innings.

The Flashes allowed seven runs in the first three innings and dropped the third game of the tournament to a strong Michigan team in six innings, 12-4.

The Flashes finished the game with seven hits. Sophomore Shelbi Tilton led the way for the Flashes in this one with two singles. Freshman Ronnie Ladines hit in two runs and Grimm hit in a run as well.

The Wolverines (17-6) finished the game with 14 hits and also had three players finish the game with three hits.

In the Flashes final game of the weekend they played Wisconsin (10-10) and put forth a much better outing, defeating the Badgers, 5-2.

Both teams got on the scoreboard early as Kent State jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead after the first inning.

Grimm finished the game with three hits including two doubles, and she knocked in four key runs for the Flashes.

Patterson followed with two singles as the Flashes managed to out hit the Badgers, 8-4.

The Flashes will play Kansas, Kentucky, Fairfield and Saint Francis this weekend in the Kentucky Tournament

“Maddy Grimm had a good day at the plate driving in four runs today,” Linder said. “It was a good win against Wisconsin today considering we were without a couple of players. I’m really proud that our team has three wins against Big Ten schools. Our offense really picked us up this weekend.”

Contact Taylor Rosen at [email protected].