Kent State University
Kansas City
Kent State Softball Heads to Maverick Classic
2/13/2020 1:43:00 PM | Softball
Kent State returns to action this weekend as it heads to the Lone Star State for five games as part as of the Maverick Classic being held at UT Arlington's Allan Saxe Field.
The Golden Flashes (3-1) will open play on Friday at 12:30 p.m. as they battle Kansas City before challenging Texas Southern at 5:30 p.m. Kent State will begin Saturday with a 10 a.m. contest against Stephen F. Austin before returning for a rematch against Texas Southern at 3 p.m. The Flashes will conclude the Maverick Classic with a 2 p.m. game against the host Mavericks on Sunday.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 14
12:30 p.m. ET vs. Kansas City
5:30 p.m. ET vs. Texas Southern
Saturday, February 15
10 a.m. ET vs. Stephen F. Austin
3 p.m. ET vs. Texas Southern
Sunday, February 16
2 p.m. ET at UT Arlington (Mavericks All-Access)
Last Time Out
Kent State opened the 2020 season at the Red and Black Classic, hosted by #16 Georgia. The Flashes went 3-1, winning two games against Howard and another against UNCW. Their only loss was against the nationally ranked hosts.
Reigning MAC Player of the Year Brenna Brownfield homered in each of the final three games and totaled a team-high six RBIs. Junior Kennadie Goth batted .667 and led the Flashes with six hits, five runs and two stolen bases. Sophomore Sabrina Kerschner collected three hits in the opener against UNCW and freshman Morgan Bowers went 4-for-4 with her first collegiate home run in Sunday's finale against Howard.
For the first time since 2016, three different pitchers earned a win on opening weekend. Reigning MAC Pitcher of the Year Andrea Scali (1-1) bounced back from a tough outing against Georgia on Friday night by striking out 11 and not allowing an earned run Saturday against Howard. Scali totaled 16 strikeouts in 10.2 innings in the circle. Senior Madi Huck (1-0) posted a team-best 1.17 ERA to go with nine strikeouts and sophomore Anilese Kelly (1-0) recorded a save against UNCW.
Scouting the Opposition
Kansas City
• Kansas City will be opening their 2020 season at the Maverick Classic. The Roos finished 2019 with a record of 27-29 and an appearance in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
• OF Sydney Garcia, a 2019 Second Team All-WAC selection, batted .346 and finished tied for the team lead with six home runs.
• INF Chyanne Onstad, a 2019 Second Team All-WAC selection, batted .341 and drove in a team-high 36 RBIs.
• Kansas City's pitching staff will look to sophomore Mia Hoveland, a 2019 Second Team All-WAC selection. She led the Roos with 10 wins, throwing 70 strikeouts and two shutouts.
Texas Southern
• Texas Southern opened their season going 1-3 at the H-E-B Classic in San Antonio, including a loss to MAC member Toledo.
• INF Daryn Haslam batted .500 during the Lady Tiger's opening weekend and drove in a team-high 7 RBIs.
• P Chelsea Baxter picked up Texas Southern's lone win, allowing two earned runs in 4.1 innings in the Lady Tiger's 5-3 win over Creighton.
Stephen F. Austin
• Stephen F. Austin opened 2020 going a perfect 4-0 in the ULM Tournament. The Ladyjacks outscored their opponents 30-3.
• INF Shaylon Govan drove in a team-high six RBIs on five hits, all of which were extra base hits (four doubles and one home run.)
• OF Brittany Crawford and INF Camryn Middlebrook drove in five RBIs apiece to help power the offense.
• All three of the Ladyjacks' starting pitchers have 0.00 ERA and picked up at least one win. The pitching staff is led by Ashley Kriesel, who went 2-0 and picked up a complete game shutout while throwing 26 strikeouts.
UT Arlington
• UT Arlington opened the season at the Aggie Classic and went 3-2, which includes a pair of wins against the SEC's Texas A&M.
• 2B Avery Grimes, the Sun Belt Player of the Week, helped drive the Maverick's offense, leading the team in batting average (.357) and RBIs (4).
• UT Arlington received contributions throughout the lineup, with six players driving in at least one RBI during the Maverick's opening weekend.
• P Allie Gardiner, the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, has a perfect 3-0 record, which includes a complete game shutout. She leads the team with 20 strikeouts.
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State is 2-3 all-time against the tournament field. The Flashes are 2-0 against Kansas City, with both games played in 1998. Stephen F. Austin has won all 3 games with Kent State. Most recently, the Ladyjacks won a pair of games against the Flashes in 2009 by scores of 11-2 and 2-0. This will be the first time Kent State meets Texas Southern and UT Arlington on the softball diamond.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will remain on the road for a 6 p.m. ET game Tuesday at #17/#19 Texas Tech. The Flashes will then have a weekend off before returning to competition at the Woo Pig Classic in Arkansas from February 28-March 1.
