Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Golden Flashes Continue Homestand Against Buffalo
4/22/2016 10:29:00 AM | Softball
Kent State (25-15, 8-6 MAC) hosts Buffalo for a crucial three-game series this weekend at the Diamond at Dix. The first game of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m.
The Golden Flashes and Bulls are currently tied for third place in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings, but just a half of a game behind second-place Akron.
Last Time Out
Kent State dropped a pair 1-run games to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, 1-0 and 3-2.
Junior pitchers Ronnie Ladines and Janel Hayes were impressive in complete game efforts against one of the nation's top offenses. The Panthers rank in the top 20 nationally in several offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, scoring and home runs, but were held to just four runs and a .212 batting average.
Kent State collected 10 hits on the day, led by three singles from Ladines. Junior Maddy Grimm, who only started one game, went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Senior Shelbi Tilton also had two hits for the Flashes.
Scouting Buffalo (14-27, 8-6 MAC)
• The Bulls swept MAC East foe Bowling Green in their last series winning game one 9-0 in 5 innings, game two 9-3 and game three 10-5
• Buffalo currently ranks 5th in the MAC in team batting average (.273), and 26th in the nation in triples per game (0.27)
• Katie Weimer leads Buffalo in RBIs (40), home runs (9), triples (4), slugging percentage (.644) and total bases (85)
• Savanna Norcio ranks in the top 5 in the MAC in doubles (12), on-base percentage (.493), batting average (.390) and hits (46).• Charlotte Miller (6-6) leads the Bulls' pitching staff with a 3.54 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 83.0 innings pitched.
Series History vs. Buffalo
• Kent State is 24-8 all-time vs. Buffalo.
• Due to wintry weather that made the opening weekend of MAC play unplayable in Buffalo, this will be the fourth straight season the teams have played at the Diamond at Dix.
• Last season, Kent State swept Buffalo in in a doubleheader, 6-4 and 7-3 at the Diamond at Dix.
• Buffalo won both games on the final weekend of the 2014 regular season and Kent State won both games in 2012.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State concludes its seven-game homestand with a doubleheader against Youngstown State on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
