AKRON, Ohio – Junior Ronnie Ladines recorded nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits Thursday afternoon as top-seeded Kent State lost to Northern Illinois, 2-0, in a Mid-American Conference Softball Championship second round matchup at Firestone Stadium.
The Golden Flashes (36-20) now need to win five games on Friday and Saturday to capture the third MAC Softball Championship crown in program history.
Northern Illinois' first hit of the game proved to be the difference, as Emily Naegle gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead with a home run to left field in the fourth inning.