Golden Flashes Picked Second in MAC Softball Preseason Poll
2/3/2015 12:48:00 PM | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Kent State softball team has been picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division according to the conference's preseason coaches' poll, the league office announced Tuesday (Feb. 3). The Golden Flashes received two first-place votes.
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Head coach Karen Linder returns 12 letterwinners from last year's team that finished 25-20 overall and earned the No. 4 seed in the MAC Tournament with a 10-6 mark in conference play.
A strong pitching staff is anchored by senior Emma Johnson. One of the conference's top pitchers since stepping on campus, Johnson was named MAC Pitcher of the Year in 2013 and earned All-MAC Second Team honors a year ago with a 14-11 record and 2.09 ERA. Sophomore Ronnie Ladines (7-6) led the conference with a 6.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and was a MAC All-Freshman Team honoree.
Additionally, seven position starters return for the Flashes. Sophomore infielder Maddy Grimm looks to build off an outstanding freshman season in which she was a NFCA All-Mideast Region Third Team selection. Grimm blasted 13 home runs to tie the Kent State single-season record and drove in 44 RBI.
Seniors Kim Kirkpatrick and Dani Ramos, who both started all 45 games a year ago, lead an experienced outfield. Kirkpatrick was an All-MAC Second Team selection in 2013 and led Kent State with 40 hits and 12 doubles last season. The speedy Ramos covers a large area in center and ranked sixth in the nation with six triples last year. Senior Ariele Patterson started 15 of 16 conference games and was second on the team with a .286 batting average in league play.
Junior infielder Michele Duffy, junior infielder Lauren Kesterson, junior infielder Shelbi Tilton and junior catcher Erika Warren are also back after starting at least 26 games each in 2014.
Reigning MAC Tournament champion Ohio was picked to win the East Division and received eight first-place votes. Central Michigan was picked as the favorite in the West Division and received six first-place votes. The Bobcats were picked to repeat as champions of the conference tournament with five votes.
The Flashes begin the season at the University of San Diego Tournament from Feb. 13-15. A challenging non-conference schedule includes three games at No. 8 Michigan on March 14-15. A trip to Buffalo on March 28 will mark the beginning of MAC play. A doubleheader with rival Akron at the Diamond at Dix on April 10 will be the Flashes' home opener. The Mid-American Conference Tournament will take place at Firestone Stadium in Akron from May 6-9.
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2015 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
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East DivisionÂ
1. Ohio (8)
2. Kent State (2)
3. Akron (1)
4. Buffalo (1)
5. Miami
6. Bowling GreenÂ
West Division
1. Central Michigan (6)
2. Ball State (5)
3. Northern Illinois (1)
4. Western Michigan
5. Toledo
6. Eastern Michigan
MAC Tournament Champion: Ohio (5)
