Kent State Softball Opens 2014 Season at Mizuno Invitational

The Kent State softball team returns most of the core of last season's Mid-American Conference East Division championship team and has its sights set on advancing further into the MAC Tournament and into NCAA Regionals in 2014. That journey begins this weekend with five games at the Mizuno Invitational, hosted by Long Beach State.

"We're really looking forward to the opportunity to play games on dirt and against good competition in good weather," said head coach Karen Linder. "I'm looking forward to seeing where we are as a team at this point. I think we're going to have a good year and looking forward to see what our girls can do against other teams."

The Golden Flashes, which were named preseason favorite to repeat as MAC East champions in the coaches' poll on Thursday, opens with George Washington and Santa Clara on Friday. Saturday also begins with George Washington, followed by host Long Beach State. The weekend concludes with a rematch against the host 49ers on Sunday.

Pitching should be a strength of the Flashes once again, as the returners combined to pitch all but 4.1 innings last season. Anchoring the staff will be junior Emma Johnson, who was named MAC Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference in wins (20), earned run average (1.70), and opponent batting average (.194). Johnson's 214 strikeouts were second-most in the MAC, as she became just the second pitcher in Kent State history with multiple 200-strikeout seasons.

Senior Lauren McNeil and sophomore Alyssa Frankenfield also return on the mound. McNeil brings a great amount of experience to the staff with 76 career appearances entering the season. She had her best season in a Flashes uniform last year and posted career-highs in wins (6), strikeouts (80) and earned run average (4.30). Frankenfield was used primarily in relief as season and shared the team lead in saves (2) with Johnson.

"I feel like we have a really well-balanced staff," Linder said. "We will rely on all of our pitchers to contribute in various ways, and I think we will have some more versatility in how we use them this year."

Seven starting position players return for a Flashes lineup, led by junior outfielders Kim Kirkpatrick and Dani Ramos. Kirkpatrick hit a team-best .336 and was among the top 10 in the MAC in batting average, walks, runs and on-base percentage. Ramos, who was second on the team with a .270 batting average last season, will move from leftfield to centerfield defensively for the Flashes. Seniors Jessacca Gironda and Caitie Kilbane are in the mix to see time at the other outfield position. Gironda hit .274 and provided speed as a pinch runner in her first season of college softball a year ago. Kilbane will move from third base to the outfield, where she saw time early on in her college career.

On the infield, senior Abbey Ledford is the lone upperclassmen. A career .290 hitter, Ledford will look to move into the top 10 in program history in hits, runs scored, RBI and total bases. Sophomores Michele Duffy and Lauren Kesterson, and Shelbi Tilton were regulars in the Kent State infield a year ago, while fellow sophomore Erika Warren started 44 games at catcher. Several players will be used in the designated player position.

"This weekend will provide an opportunity for us to look at a lot of different players in different roles," said Linder. "We have a couple different lineups we'll utilize on the infield and also various options with our outfield and designated player position."

A six-player freshman class will add depth to the roster and provide several lineup options from game-to-game. Maddy Grimm will be part of the infield rotation, while Ronnie Ladines and Janel Hayes could be used in starting and relief roles. Both pitchers also hit, which is something the Flashes have not had in awhile, and will make appearances in the batting order from time-to-time.

After returning from Long Beach, the Flashes will be idle next weekend before competing in a loaded field that includes three games against Top 15 opponents at the Florida Atlantic Invitational Feb. 21-23.

Kent State Softball Opens 2014 Season at Mizuno Invitational

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