The Kent State softball team defeated Indiana 8-5 in the Louisville Slugger Classic yesterday in Tampa.

The Flashes (4-3) finished the tournament with four victories in five games, but it wasn’t enough to take the championship crown as the University of South Florida placed first after defeating Sienna College.

Leading the Flashes was senior Ashley Ball who hit a three-run home run in her only appearance at the plate. The hit came in the bottom of the third inning with two outs, giving Kent State a 5-1 lead.

Sophomores Whitney Lebowitz and Kim Hamilton also contributed to the win with multiple hits. Lebowitz grabbed her second multi-RBI game by hitting two singles and driving in two runs in her four appearances at bat. Hamilton singled twice in three at bats and scored one of her two runs when she stole home in the fourth inning.

Junior Megan Verde added two runs and a single to the win, while junior pitcher Brittney Robinson and senior hurler Erin Christopher combined to limit the Hoosiers to five runs on 10 hits.

Kent State will return to Florida March 10-12 to compete in the Florida State Tournament.

-Amanda Vasil