Kent State University
Buffalo
Softball Hosts Buffalo for Sunday Doubleheader to Open MAC Schedule
3/29/2015 9:46:00 AM | Softball
Kent State begins its quest for a Mid-American Conference title when it hosts Buffalo for a doubleheader at the Diamond at Dix on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
Pitching Staff Among National Leaders
Kent State's pitching staff has performed this season and ranks third in the country with a 1.42 earned run average and is holding opponents to a .186 batting average.
Senior Emma Johnson (9-3) is the ace of the staff and has recorded 132 strikeouts in just 79.1 innings. Johnson ranks third in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (11.6), fourth in shutouts (6), sixth in ERA (0.88) and ninth in hits allowed per seven innings (3.71).
Sophomore Ronnie Ladines (6-3) has a 1.83 ERA and has allowed more than two earned runs in just one of nine 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.
Scouting Buffalo (7-20)
• Buffalo has dropped four straight entering the start of conference play this weekend.
• The Bulls have been shutout eight times already this season.
• C/3B Alexis Curtiss: .407 BA, 13 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 16 RBI
• P/IF Hayley Barrow: .345, 10 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI; 1-5, 5.29 ERA, 24 K, 39.2 IP
• 3B/UT Lauren Gambone: 4 HR, 15 RBI
• Buffalo has a team ERA of 6.46 staff and opponents are hitting .336 against the Bulls' pitching staff.
• P Bobbi Langlois (3-8) shares the team lead in wins and has a 6.25 ERA and team-leading 30 strikeouts and 71.2 innings pitched.
Series History vs. Buffalo
• Kent State is 22-8 all-time vs. the Bulls.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will go back on the road to continue Mid-American Conference next weekend (April 3-5) two games against both Ball State and Miami.
