Kent State University
Youngstown State
Flashes Visit Youngstown State for Midweek Doubleheader
3/19/2019 10:58:00 AM | Softball
Kent State (6-14) will make the short drive to square off against Youngstown State (4-16) in a mid-week non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is the Golden Flashes' last non-conference action before opening Mid-American Conference play this weekend at Toledo.
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes suffered a series sweep last weekend on the road at #25 Michigan and concluded a stretch of seven of the last eight games against nationally-ranked foes. The weekend closed with an 8-1 setback against the Wolverines, even though the Flashes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead.
Andrea Scali was called to hit and deposited a sacrifice fly to center that drove in Kent State's single tally in the second. The Flashes also put together a two-out rally in the sixth on singles by Bailey Brownfield Hunter Brancifort and a hit by pitch from Maria Cegledy. Kent State was unable to score and Michigan blew the game open with a five-run sixth frame.
Taking on a Challenging Schedule
Kent State head coach Eric Oakley has challenged his team with one of the most difficult slates in the entire country this season. According to the latest RPI figures (March 18) Kent State checks in with the No. 83 ranking due in large part to the quality of competition the Flashes have taken on. Kent State has played the seventh-toughest schedule in the nation behind Washington, Kentucky, Drake, Florida State, LSU and Minnesota. According to the USA Today / NFCA Fashpitch Coaches Poll, the Flashes have played 11 ranked teams and two receiving votes this season.
The Flashes earned a pair of victories against #21 Baylor earlier this season and won two games against a nationally-ranked team in the same day for the first time in program history.
About Kent State
Sophomore Kennadie Goth leads the team with a .351 batting average and has registered 13 hits. Senior Bailey Brownfield paces the squad with 17 hits and six doubles. Senior Hunter Brancifort has driven in 10 runs so far and hit two home runs, one of which came against #19 James Madison at the Wildcat Invitational.
Redshirt freshman pitcher Andrea Scali has shined early this season. She has held the opposition to a batting average of .232 and is 10th in the country in strikeouts per seven innings (10.3). She has already claimed to MAC Pitcher of the Week Awards and was honored with the USA Softball National Collegiate Co-Player of the Week for her pair of victories over #21 Baylor.
#FlashFacts
- Kent State was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference and received a vote to win the MAC Tournament in the preseason coaches' poll.
- Bailey Brownfield leads the club this season with six doubles. Last year her 13 two-baggers were tied for ninth-most in a single-season in program history. She currently has racked up 33 career doubles which is tied for 10th-most in the school record book with former All-American Holly Speers.
- Brancifort has been hit by a pitch 29 times in a career which is the most in school history.
- Fourth-year head coach Eric Oakley became the fastest Kent State head coach to earn their 100th victory at KSU, as Oakley accomplished the feat in 173 games with a 7-1 season-opening win over LIU Brooklyn. During his three complete seasons as the skipper, the Golden Flashes have finished each season with a .540 or better winning percentage and have won nine postseason games.
- This season, Kent State returned All-MAC First Team selection Bailey Brownfield as well as All-MAC Second Team members Maria Cegledy, Kennadie Goth, Madi Huck and Brenna Brownfield.
Scouting Youngstown State
The Penguins come into their home opener with a 4-16 overall record, and much like Kent State will be gearing up for the start of conference play later in the week. Youngstown State went 1-4 last weekend at the UNC-Wilmington tournament and defeated Canisius, 4-0, in its only win of the tournament. Former All-Horizon League First Team member Lexi Zappitelli paces the Penguins with a .328 batting average and has recorded five extra-base hits which is tied for the most on the team. Addy Jarvis leads the team with a 2.76 ERA, 65 strikeouts and three victories inside the circle.
Brian Campbell is in his 11th year as the head coach and his staff includes former Kent State catcher Erika Warren, who was the everyday backstop for the Flashes' back-to-back MAC regular season championship teams in 2015 and 2016.
Series History
Kent State holds a 51-14 all-time lead in the series against Youngstown State. The two schools, which are separated by only 40 miles, usually meet every season but last year's series was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Up Next
Kent State will begin MAC play later this week with a three-game series at Toledo. The Flashes will play the Rockets in a single game on Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. and conclude the set with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 1 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter and Instagram for news and in-game updates about the squad.
