Kent State University
Robert Morris
Softball Back in Action at Green and White Tournament
2/27/2015 10:33:00 PM | Softball
The Kent State softball team finally returns to the diamond this weekend at the Green and White Tournament hosted by Charlotte. Due to snowy field conditions, the tournament has been moved to the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Golden Flashes (4-2) were originally scheduled to play five games over three days, but will not play four games over two days in a truncated tournament.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, February 28
10 a.m. Charlotte
2 p.m. Robert Morris
Sunday, March 1
10 a.m. St. Bonaventure
12 p.m. St. Bonaventure
Last Time Out
Kent State went 4-2 in its opening weekend of the season at the University of San Diego Tournament (Feb. 13-15). The Flashes got off to a good start with wins over Southern Utah (5-3 in 8 innings) and Montana (8-2) on the first day of competition. Fielding errors led to a pair of one-run losses on the second day, as the Flashes lost to Southern Utah (4-3) and San Diego (3-2). Kent State bounced back for two more wins on the final day over Montana (6-1) and Cal State Bakersfield (1-0).
Four different pitchers recorded victories for the Flashes. Senior Emma Johnson and sophomore Ronnie Ladines both started two games and went 1-1. Johnson allowed just two earned runs in 15 innings while striking out 20. She also appeared in relief to pick up a save. Ladines allowed three earned runs in 12 innings while striking out 12. Sophomore Janel Hayes was terrific in her start, allowing just one run on three hits in a complete game effort. Junior Alyssa Frankenfield impressed in her first career start, scattering four hits over five scoreless innings in the weekend finale. Frankenfield also made two relief appearances and finished the weekend with six strikeouts in 7.2 innings.
Kent State batted .274 as a team for the opening weekend of play. Junior Michele Duffy led the way by batting .400 with a double and six RBI. Junior Shelbi Tilton batted .318 and drove in four runs. Senior Kim Kirkpatrick and sophomores Paige McCrary and Ronnie Ladines added five hits apiece. Kirkpatrick hit the Flashes' only home run of the weekend.
Opponents
Charlotte (5-2)
- The 49ers have outscored their opponents 52-19 so far this season.
- Charlotte defeated MAC East foe Ohio, 15-2, in a five-inning game.
- INF Natalie Capone leads the 49ers in batting (.480), runs (9), hits (12) and stolen bases (5).
- OF Jessica Plemmons is batting .400 and has a team-high 13 RBI.
- Lexi Betancourt was named as one of the top 50 pitchers in the country by Fast Pitch News during the preseason. Betancourt is 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 innings this season.
Robert Morris (6-3)
- The Colonials are 2-1 vs. MAC teams this season. They have wins over Toledo (9-0) and Eastern Michigan (7-4) and a loss to Bowling Green (3-2).
- Robert Morris has outscored its opponents 44-33 so far this season.
- INF/C Jordan Gurganus leads the offense with a .433 batting average, 13 hits and 3 RBI.
- 3B Olivia Lorusso brings power to the lineup with 2 home runs, 7 RBI and a .615 slugging percentage. Lorusso is also batting .346.
- P Nicole Sleith (4-2) is the ace of the pitching staff and has already thrown 5 complete games. Sleith has a 1.76 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 39.2 innings, while opponents are hitting just .156 against her this season.
St. Bonaventure (0-4)
- The Bonnies lost 4 games in Myrtle Beach Feb. 13-15 by combined score of 23-4.
- As a team, SBU is batting just .144 compared to .312 for opponents. The Bonnies do not have any extra-base hits.
- 2B Kiera Lorenzo, OF Kelli Rohan and 3B Grace Rooney each went 3-for-11 to lead the offense in Myrtle Beach. Lorenzo had 2 RBI.
- Kristen Hickling (0-1) has a team-best 2.25 ERA.
Series History vs. Opponents
- Charlotte: 2-1
- Robert Morris: 14-7-1
- St. Bonaventure: 0-0
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play five games at the UCF Knights Invitational in Orlando, Fla. next weekend (March 6-8).
