Kent State University
Oakland University
Challenging Slate Awaits Golden Flashes at Upstate Invitational
2/18/2016 3:17:00 PM | Softball
The Kent State softball team will look to stay hot at the Upstate Invitational this weekend. The Golden Flashes won all five games at the FGCU Kickoff Classic last week for the first unbeaten opening-weekend since 2007.
This week's opponents will provide a tougher challenge with games against two teams that played in the 2015 NCAA Regionals. Games will be played at both USC Upstate and Furman.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 19 (@ USC Upstate)
11:00 a.m. Oakland - Live Stats
5:00 p.m. North Carolina Central - Live Stats
Saturday, February 20 (@ Furman)
3:00 p.m. Furman - Live Stats Video
5:00 p.m. North Carolina Central - Live Stats
Sunday, February 21 (@ USC Upstate)
1:00 p.m. USC Upstate - Live Stats
Sweep, Sweep
Kent State went 5-0 on opening weekend at the FGCU Kickoff Classic, which is the best start since 2007 (5-0) and tied for the third-best start in the 41-year history of the program. The 1990 team that advanced to the Women's College World Series owns the record by winning its first nine games.
At 5-0, interim head coach Eric Oakley is off to the best start of any first-year coach in program history. Laurel Wartluft has the highest-winning percentage by a first-year head coach (.875), leading the Flashes to a 21-3 record in 1977. Sue Lilley Nevar's 23 wins in 1986 are the most by a first-year head coach.
Sweep, Sweep (Part 2)
Kent State was rewarded for its great play during the opening weekend of the season with both recipients of the first set of Mid-American Conference weekly awards. Junior Ronnie Ladines was named MAC East Pitcher of the Week for the second time of her career, while senior Arika Roush earned her first MAC East Player of the Week recognition.
Ace in the Hole
Despite two excellent seasons to begin her collegiate career, junior Ronnie Ladines remained under-the-radar to many who follow Mid-American Conference softball. Ladines entered the season with a 19-12 record and posted a 2.25 ERA with 195 strikeouts and just 48 walks in 211.2 innings, but was overshadowed by two-time MAC Pitcher of the Year Emma Johnson.
Now the aces of the Flashes' pitching staff, Ladines showed that she is ready for a larger role with a dominant performance in the circle last weekend. She posted a 3-0 record and added a save in four appearances. Ladines threw complete games in both starts, including a one-hit shutout in the season opener against Illinois-Chicago, and allowed just two runs for a 0.88 ERA. She displayed great command, fanning 22 batters while allowing just two walks. Ladines also found success at the plate, going 4-for-10 with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs.
New Year, New Position
Sophomore Emily Dobbin, who made 29 appearances as a pinch runner in 2015, has switched to pitching this season. Dobbin's collegiate debut in the circle on Sunday was impressive, as she allowed just one run on four hits over four innings to earn the victory against host Florida Gulf Coast.
Fresh Faces in the Outfield
The Flashes had great competition in the outfield after losing a pair of four-year starters. Senior Arika Roush finished the 2015 season as the starting rightfielder, but has moved to center field. Roush came through with the best weekend of her collegiate career, batting .533 while leading Kent State with eight hits, five RBIs, a .667 slugging percentage and a .650 on-base percentage. She reached safely in all five games and also led the Flashes with three multi-hit games and two multi-RBI games.
The other two starting spots belong to freshmen. Bailey Brownfield, who made four starts in left field and one as designated player, was the only Flash to hit safely in all five games and tied for the team lead with a .533 batting average, eight hits, five runs scored and five RBIs. Jen Cader started all five games in right field and collected four hits during opening weekend, including a bunt single that brought home the go-ahead run in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Middle Tennessee.
Grimm Joins Century Club
Junior Maddy Grimm drove in three runs during the opening weekend to give her 101 career RBIs and become just the fourth Kent State player to total 100 RBIs. Grimm, who set a school-record with 54 RBIs a season ago, is on pace to become the all-time leader at some point this season. Jessica Carmichael (2008-11) is the current recordholder with 132.
Two of her RBIs came on solo home runs to give her 34 career round-trippers. Grimm crushed 19 homers last season, breaking the record of 13 that she tied during her freshman season. She needs just two home runs to tie the school record, which is shared by Carmichael and Jamie Fitzpatrick (2005-08).
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play five games at the Red and Black Louisville Classic February 26-28.
