Kent State University
Youngstown State
Golden Flashes to Play Midweek Road Doubleheader at YSU on Wednesday
3/24/2015 11:21:00 PM | Softball
Live Stats (Game 1) Live Stats (Game 2) Video
Before beginning conference play this weekend, Kent State will head to Youngstown State for a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. The first game is scheduled for 3 p.m. There will be live stats and video streaming available for both games.
Last Time Out
Kent State went undefeated at the Liberty Classic and outscored its five opponents, 37-5. The Golden Flashes had an offensive explosion and hit .352 as a team with seven home runs. Four Flashes hit better than .425, led by senior Kim Kirkpatrick's .615 batting average. Freshman Holly Speers and sophomore Janel Hayes both had breakout weekends at the plate, combining for 11 hits, 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 7 RBI. Emma Johnson and Ronnie Ladines both earned 2 wins and threw a shutout in the pitcher's circle for the Flashes.
Pitching Staff Among National Leaders
Kent State's pitching staff has performed this season and ranks fourth in the country with a 1.46 earned run average and is holding opponents to a .171 batting average.
Senior Emma Johnson (8-3) is the ace of the staff and has recorded 94 strikeouts in just 58.1 innings. Johnson ranks second in the nation in shutouts (6), third in strikeouts per seven innings (11.5), seventh in hits allowed per seven innings (3.39) and eighth in ERA (0.87).
Sophomore Ronnie Ladines (5-3) has a 1.95 ERA and has allowed more than two earned runs in just one of eight starts.
Junior Alyssa Frankenfield (2-0) is having her best season as a Golden Flash. Frankenfield has a 1.88 ERA and a save. Sophomore Janel Hayes (2-0) has a 2.47 ERA and has been victorious in both of her starts.
Early-Season Leaders
Junior Michele Duffy leads the offense with a .387 batting average and shares the team lead with four doubles. Duffy is second on the team with 24 hits and 15 RBI.
Sophomore Maddy Grimm continues to swing a powerful bat and leads the Flashes with 4 doubles, 6 home runs and 20 RBI despite missing the opening weekend of the season.
Senior outfielders Dani Ramos and Kim Kirkpatrick share the team lead with three triples. Ramos also leads Kent State with 20 runs and 11 stolen bases. Kirkpatrick is second in both with 16 runs and 6 stolen bases.
Scouting Youngstown State (10-12)
• Youngstown State has won three straight after sweeping a three-game series vs. Detroit to open Horizon League play over the weekend.
• INF Miranda Castiglione leads the Penguins with a .344 batting average and 13 stolen bases. Castiglione is second on the team with 17 runs and 17 RBI.
• INF/OF Cali Mikovich has a team-high 22 hits, 3 triples, 5 home runs and 18 RBI.
• YSU has a team ERA of 5.29 staff and opponents are hitting .307 against the Penguins' pitching staff.
• P Ashley Kozial (4-3) leads the rotation in wins and has a 5.60 ERA.
Series History vs. Youngstown State
• Kent State is 46-13 all-time vs. the Penguins.
• The schools last met on the softball diamond at Elon Invitational during the 2011 season.
• The Flashes won the first game, 9-1, in five innings. The Penguins won the rematch the following day, 6-5, in eight innings.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will begin Mid-American Conference play with two games at Buffalo this weekend (March 28-29).
