Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

KENT, Ohio — The Central Michigan softball team found itself ahead of Mid-American Conference leader Kent State in both games, but KSU home runs proved too much for CMU as it fell, 9-1 and 4-2, on Saturday.

The losses drop the Chippewas to 25-16, 11-7 in the MAC.

Six-Run Fourth Dooms Chippewas in Opener

CMU got off to a strong start in the opener as Christina Novak set the tone in the top of the first. The senior walked and stole second before scoring on Katie Greenman’s RBI single, putting the Maroon and Gold up, 1-0.

Central kept its lead until the bottom of the third when KSU’s Lauren Grimes launched a solo home run with two down to even the score at one apiece.

Kent State stormed in front in the bottom of the fourth with six runs, all coming with two outs as six consecutive batters reached base to give KSU a 7-1 lead.

Grimes launched her second home run of the afternoon, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth to end the opener.

Kari Seddon (14-9) got the start and lasted 3 and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on five hits and two walks. She also struck out eight batters. Sarah Patterson relieved her in the fourth and allowed four runs in one and two-thirds innings. She gave up three hits and three walks while fanning one batter.

Flashes Walk-Off With Sweep

Lauren Grimes put Kent State in front in the bottom of the first with her third home run of the day, a solo shot that made it 1-0.

KSU held that lead until the top of the fourth when CMU tied the contest on an Amanda Patrick RBI single. The hit put two runners aboard with one out, but Kent State worked out of the jam.

The Chippewas used some two-out magic of their own to take the lead in the fifth as Katie Greenman drilled an RBI single to center that to make it a 2-1 contest.

Central’s lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Alyssa Frobase homered with one out to tie the contest at 2-2.

The Golden Flashes played long ball one more time in the bottom of the seventh as Beth Cinadr launched a walk-off two-run shot to end the contest.

Kara Dornbos went the distance in the circle for the Chippewas, allowing four runs on six hits in six and a third innings. She also walked three and struck out eight.

Central returns home for the final weekend of the regular season, beginning with a  doubleheader against Northern Illinois on May 7.