Softball team finally returns home, has key MAC games waiting this weekend
4/18/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State softball team (19-14-1 overall) returns home this weekend for just the second time all season and has a key slate of Mid-American Conference games waiting.
On Friday (April 19), the Golden Flashes will host Northern Illinois in a doubleheader at the Diamond at Dix. The twin bill is slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Flashes will then play Western Michigan in single games at 2 p.m. Saturday (April 20) and 1 p.m. Sunday (April 21).
You can listen to the games live on the Golden Flashes channel on iHeart Radio by clicking here. KSU Voice Ty Linder will call the play by play.
Kent State's lone home appearance this season in 34 games came back on March 30 when it swept a doubleheader from MAC rival Akron, 2-1 and 5-3. The Golden Flashes are officially 3-1 at home, but two of those games, a conference split against Ohio (W, 2-1; L, 8-0), were played in Athens, Ohio due to inclement weather in Kent.
It's a big weekend for the Flashes as they are tied with Miami (Ohio) atop the MAC East standings at 9-3 in league play. Bowling Green (21-15, 5-7) and Buffalo (12-24, 5-7) share third place in the MAC East.
Northern Illinois (13-26, 3-7) is fifth in the MAC West, while Western Michigan (13-23, 4-6) is third. Ball State (28-12, 12-0) stands first in the MAC West.
Kent State is playing some of its best softball of the season, going 9-2-1 over its last 12 games.
The Flashes totaled 16 runs in its April 12 MAC doubleheader at Toledo, winning the first game, 8-4, and falling just short in the nightcap, 9-8.
Sophomore right-hander Emma Johnson (Groveport, Ohio) allowed just five hits and four earned runs over seven innings to win the opener. Johnson struck out nine and walked only three.
Senior first baseman Lauren Balodis (North Royalton, Ohio) went 3 for 5 in the two games with three doubles and four RBI to pace the offense.
Johnson (14-7, 1.81 ERA) then tossed a three-hit shutout on April 14 in the opening game of a doubleheader at Bowling Green to propel the Flashes to a crucial sweep, 1-0 and 5-1. The stellar effort included Johnson striking out 12 over seven innings.
Sophomore right fielder Kim Kirkpatrick (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) went 4 for 6 in the two games with two doubles and three RBI. Kirkpatrick leads the Flashes with a .330 batting average and a .472 slugging percentage.
Johnson, who earned her second save of the season with two no-hit innings of relief in the 5-1 win over BG, was named MAC East Pitcher of the Week on April 15. It's the third time this season Johnson has won the award and the second time in the past three weeks.
The 2 p.m. Saturday (April 20) game against Western Michigan is part of "Little Sibs" weekend on campus. A child will accompany each player as they're announced during pregame introductions. Additionally, a boy and girl will be recognized each inning as honorary batboy and batgirl.
A postgame ice cream social/reception for alumni and current players, and their families will immediately follow the 1 p.m. Sunday (April 21) game in the Varsity "K" room at Dix Stadium. The reception will recognize the student-athletes who have achieved excellence in the classroom, but were unable to attend the Judith K. Devine Athletic Academic Honors Banquet last weekend due to their softball commitments.
Finally, for the third year in a row, the Kent State softball team is sponsoring Joey Cheney and the Family Child Learning Center (FCLC) as part of the "Strides for Autism" fundraiser. Joey was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 ½ and was enrolled at the FCLC immediately after being diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Joey's enrollment at the FCLC produced major breakthroughs in the areas of communication and motor skills.
This year, the Golden Flashes are striving to raise $800 to continue helping children (and families) diagnosed with autism receive early intervention and the support to have positive breakthroughs like Joey's.
To learn more or to donate, click here.
