Kent State University
Bradley
Softball Heads South for UCF Knights Invitational
3/6/2015 12:42:00 AM | Softball
The Kent State softball will play five games in the UCF Knights Invitational in Orlando, Fla. this weekend.Â
Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 6
1 p.m.         Bradley – Live Stats
3 p.m.         UCF – Live Stats      Video
Saturday, March 7
1 p.m.          Michigan State – Live Stats
5:30 p.m.     UCF – Live Stats      Video
Sunday, March 8
9:30 a.m.     Bradley – Live StatsÂ
Opponents
Bradley (4-14)
- The Braves went 2-2 at Sand Dollar Snow Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala. last weekend.
- On the season, Bradley has been outscored, 135-73.
- UTL/OF Maria Schroeder is batting a team-best .436 with3 doubles and, 12 RBI.
- OF Erika Hansen has a .367 batting average with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 16 RBI, and a .612 slugging percentage.
- Bradley has a team ERA of 6.74 staff and opponents are hitting .347 against the Braves' pitching staff.
- P Alyson Spinas-Valainis (2-5) leads the rotation with a 5.50 ERA and has thrown 4 complete games.
No. 15 UCF (15-3)
-Â Picked to repeat as American Athletic Conference champions, the Knights entered the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll after an 8-0 start and are currently ranked 15th in the poll.
-Â All three of UCF's losses have been in one-run games: 4-3 to No. 19 Washington, 2-1 to No. 1 Florida and 3-2 to Iowa.
-Â The Knights have outscored their opponents, 75-22, and have wins over two ranked teams (No. 17 Minnesota and No. 20 Missouri).
-Â OF Linnea Goodman leads the offense with 24 hits and a .387 batting average.
- 1B/DP Samantha McCloskey is hitting .318 with 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, and a .591 slugging percentage.
- C/1B Kalyn Cenal leads the team with 4 home runs and 12 RBI.
- Shelby Turnier (8-3) has a team-best 0.84 ERA and has thrown 4 shutouts. Turnier has 94 strikeouts and opposing batters are hitting just .127 against her.
-Â Mackenzie Audas (7-0) has a 1.24 ERA and has also thrown 4 shutouts. Audas has 75 strikeouts and opposing batters have a .128 batting average.
Michigan State (10-8)
- The Spartans went 2-2 at the Florida International Tournament last weekend.
- Michigan State split with MAC East rival Akron at season-opening Stetson Tournament, winning the first game, 5-0, and losing the second game, 2-4.
- OF Alyssa McBride enters the weekend with an 11-game hitting streak and has reached safely in every game this season. McBride is batting .463 with 3 doubles and 9 RBI.
- OF Lea Foerster has a .302 batting average with 4 double and a team-leading 11 RBI.
-Â Kristina Zalewski (7-3) is the ace of the pitching staff with a 1.63 ERA, 4 complete games and 59 strikeouts.
Series History vs. Opponents
- Bradley: 1-0
- UCF: 0-2
- Michigan State: 0-1
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to play three games against the 3rd-ranked Wolverines on March 14-15.
