Kent State University
Robert Morris University
Flashes Travel to Moon Township for Wednesday Doubleheader
3/30/2016 10:27:00 AM | Softball
Kent State (20-7) will play a non-conference doubleheader at Robert Morris on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Last Time Out
Kent State opened Mid-American Conference play with a three-game series sweep of West Division favorite Central Michigan this past weekend at the Diamond at Dix. The Golden Flashes outscored the Chippewas, 20-3, despite each team collecting 18 hits in the series. Sophomore Holly Speers led the offense with four home runs in as many at-bats, nine RBIs, six runs scored and six walks. Senior Shelbi Tilton went 5-for-8 with a double and two RBIs. Junior Maddy Grimm went 4-for-9 with a double, two home runs, three RBIs, five runs scored and two walks. Senior Erika Warren and freshman Bailey Brownfield also homered for the Flashes.
Juniors Ronnie Ladines and Janel Hayes were terrific in the pitcher's circle. Both players threw a shutout in Saturday's doubleheader, as they combined for a 1.05 ERA in the series. Ladines had two complete game victories. She had 12 strikeouts and four walks while allowing just three runs. Hayes threw seven scoreless innings and allowed five hits with one strikeout and one walk.
Scouting Robert Morris (7-24)
• Robert Morris lost a doubleheader to Youngstown State (8-0 in 6 innings; 8-2) on Tuesday.
• The Colonials have lost seven of their last eight games.
• RMU is 0-3 against MAC teams and was outscored 24-1 by Bowling Green and Northern Illinois (played twice).
• The Colonials have been outscored 201-76 on the season and have a .231 team batting average.
• IF/C Jordan Gurganus (.396 BA) is the lone player hitting over .300 with 40 of her 42 hits being singles. Gurganus has only one walk, two RBIs and seven runs scored.
• OF Ashley Gerhart (.286 BA) leads RMU with 13 RBIs and is one of four players with a team-high two home runs.
• As a team RMU has a 4.97 ERA while opponents are hitting .312.• Kaitlin Ellzy (7-10) is the ace of the staff with a 3.25 ERA over 99 innings. Ellzy is holding opponents to a .254 batting average but has only 55 strikeouts to 56 walks.
Series History vs. Robert Morris
• Kent State is 16-6-1 all-time vs. Robert Morris.
• The Golden Flashes defeated the Colonials twice last season, 5-1 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and 11-3 in five innings at the Diamond at Dix.
• Kim Kirkpatrick led the Flashes' offense with hits in all six of her at-bats over the two games, including two doubles and a solo home run. Kirkpatrick scored five runs, which was one more than the Colonials.
• Maddy Grimm, Janel Hayes and Dani Ramos each had two hits.
• Ronnie Ladines earned a complete game victory in the first matchup and threw one scoreless relief inning in the second game. Ladines had five strikeouts and allowed five hits.
• Alyssa Frankenfield earned the victory in the second game, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State travels to Northern Illinois for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday in a matchup of teams that went 3-0 on the opening weekend of the conference season.
