Prior to this weekend, the Kent State softball team had not played a game in more than three weeks. By the end of this weekend’s Aggie Invitational in College Station, Texas, the team’s limited game experience was evident.

Playing teams used to the warm weather, the Flashes scored just two runs all weekend in losing all five of their games.

“We were playing catchup,” said Kent State coach Karen Linder, adding the team simply could not get into a rhythm.

Before this weekend, the Flashes (5-10) hadn’t played a game since Feb. 15 at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Kent State’s opponents this weekend – Utah, Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M – had played between 15 and 20 games going into the Aggie Invitational, compared to 10 for the Flashes.

“There were a lot of positive things in the games,” Linder said. “(Freshman) Maleeya Coleman and (sophomore) Markie Pozzuto pitched well and gained valuable experience on the mound. We feel more comfortable and are beginning to see the lineup coming together.”

Yesterday’s game against Utah ended in a 5-0 loss, but the Flashes showed improvement from Friday, when they lost 9-0 to the Utes.

Junior pitcher Kylie Reynolds struck out three batters in the first six innings, while Pozzuto threw the final inning. Junior left fielder Lauren Brocklehurst and sophomore shortstop Jessica Carmichael had the Flashes’ only hits of the game.

The Flashes’ two losses Saturday came to Stephen F. Austin (2-0) and Texas A&M (5-0). The day before, Stephen F. Austin beat the Flashes 11-2.

Linder said junior second baseman Heather Duhon played well defensively all weekend. Duhon also had one of the team’s two hits against Texas A&M.

“Just playing in that atmosphere, with their crowd packed, it was something to remember,” Duhon said. “But we just need to move on, forget about this and start fresh this coming week.”

Junior third baseman Alyssa Frobase batted in the only runs of the weekend with a pinch-hit home run in Friday’s loss to Stephen F. Austin.

The Flashes will play next at the Winthrop Adidas Invitational this weekend in Rock Hill, S.C. Linder said the team will need to develop consistency.

“We are a young team, and the current upperclassmen are inexperienced because they were playing behind last year’s seniors,” Linder said. “We just need to be more consistent at putting the bat on the ball.”

Contact sports correspondent Michael Moses at [email protected].