Kent State University
Akron
Softball Dives Back into MAC Play at Akron
4/19/2019 10:55:00 AM | Softball
Kent State (21-20, 8-4 MAC) returns to Mid-American Conference play this weekend for a two-game set at Akron (10-25-2, 2-12) on Saturday, April 20. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with game one airing on the Golden Flashes iHeart Radio Channel.
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes went 3-0 in midweek games with a 10-0 win at Pitt and a doubleheader sweep of Robert Morris, 11-3 in five innings, and 7-0.
Andrea Scali threw her second no-hitter of the season against Robert Morris and totaled 11 strikeouts in the 7-0 win. She became the first Golden Flash to throw two no-hitters in the same season since current pitching coach Emma Johnson. She is also the first freshman in the MAC to throw two since Lauren McClary at Ohio in 2012.
Jen Cader had a monster day at the plate against the Colonials, going 5-for-7 with two home runs and six RBIs. Brenna Brownfield and Megan Turner also smashed home runs in the doubleheader. Bailey Brownfield collected a 3-for-4, two-double game one against Robert Morris for her second two-double game of the season.
Hot Start to MAC Play
Kent State currently is tied for first in the Mid-American Conference with an 8-4 record. The Golden Flashes got off to their best start in league play since 2015 with an 8-2 mark through the first 10 games
Brownfield Moving Up the Record Books
Bailey Brownfield has cemented herself in the top-10 in program history in three major offensive categories. She is now fifth in hits (191), third in doubles (42) and seventh in RBIs (107).
About Kent State
Senior Bailey Brownfield leads the squad with a .342 batting average, 41 hits, 15 doubles and 22 RBIs. Senior Jen Cader leads the team with five home runs and is second with 20 RBIs.
Redshirt freshman pitcher Andrea Scali has shined this season. She has held the opposition to a batting average of .193 The Parma, Ohio native is fifth in the NCAA among freshmen in strikeouts (190). She has already claimed four 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.
- Brancifort has been hit by a pitch 34 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.
- Prior to the start of conference play, Kent State played the sixth toughest schedule in the nation.
- Jen Cader is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and Kaitlyn Miller has reached base in her last nine games played.
- During the month of April, Megan Turner paces the Flashes with a .483 batting average and a .793 slugging percentage.
- Kent State is ranked 71st in the most recent NCAA RPI report, which is the best in the MAC.
- 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 Akron
The Zips check in with a 10-25-2 overall record and a 2-12 conference record. They swept Niagara on the road 1-0 and 4-0 in a Wednesday doubleheader. Junior Adrian Smith pitched both games against the Purple Eagles and only allowed four hits in 14 innings and compiled 19 strikeouts. She leads the team with a 4.51 ERA, a 7-10 record and 91 strikeouts this season. Sydney Jascoe leads the club with a .396 batting average, nine home runs and 26 RBIs.
Series History
Kent State leads the all-time series against the Zips, 76-47-1.
Up Next
Kent State hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. at the Diamond at Dix. The Golden Flashes will then travel to Buffalo later in the week for a three-game MAC series at Buffalo.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter and Instagram for news and in-game updates about the squad.
