Senior pitcher Ronnie Ladines had 13 strikeouts, allowed one hit and hit a home run as No. 4 Kent State defeated No. 5 Ball State 4-1 in the opening game of the Mid-American Conference Softball Tournament Wednesday at Firestone Stadium.
Later Wednesday, senior Madison Claytor hit a walk-off home run to give No. 2 Ohio a 2-0 win over No. 7 Akron Wednesday.
The Golden Flashes (28-25) scored two runs in the second inning. After Ladines hit a lead-off home run to left field, Kent State tacked on another run when junior Emily Dobbin hit a two-out triple to score freshman Emily Sborlini.