Kent State University
Florida State
Loaded Field Awaits Flashes at Wooo Pig Classic
2/27/2020 7:26:00 PM | Softball
Kent State returns to action as it is heading back to SEC-country as it travels for five games, four against nationally-ranked opponents, in the Wooo Pig Classic being held at Arkansas' Bogle Field.
The Golden Flashes (7-3) will open play on Friday at 1:15 p.m. against #9/8 Florida State before returning to the diamond for their first contest against the host Razorbacks at 8:00 p.m. Kent State will then begin play Saturday with a contest against #23/19 Baylor at 1:15 p.m. before battling Villanova at 3:30 p.m. The Flashes will conclude play on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. with another contest against #22/21 Arkansas.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 28
1:15 p.m. ET vs. #9/8 Florida State
8:00 p.m. ET at #22/21 Arkansas (SECN+)
Saturday, February 29
1:15 p.m. ET vs. #23/19 Baylor
3:30 p.m. ET vs. Villanova
Sunday, March 1
1:15 p.m. ET at #22/21 Arkansas (SECN+)
Scouting the Opposition
#9/8 Florida State
• Florida State has opened its season going 7-4, including a pair of wins against then #1 Alabama. All four of its losses have come against nationally-ranked opponents, including two against teams that have been #1 at some point this season.
• The Seminoles offense has three players with double-digit RBIs, led by 1B/C Chloe Culp, who leads the team with 12 RBIs and is tied for the team-high with three home runs. P/UTIL Cassidy Davis and UTIL Dani Morgan each have 10 RBIs on the season, and Davis also has three home runs.
• OF Kiersten Landers is hitting a team-high .410 and has added seven RBIs.
• Florida State's pitching staff will continue to rely on Caylan Arnold, who has posted a 1.48 ERA in five appearances this year, earning a 2-1 record while throwing 15 strikeouts.
#22/21 Arkansas
• Arkansas has started the season 12-2, including a home record of 5-1, with the lone home loss coming against Montana.
• The Razorbacks are dangerous throughout the lineup, with all eight players who have started 11+ games this year hitting at least six RBIs.
• INF Linnie Malkin is the team's leader in home runs with four and RBIs with 17.
• P Autumn Storms has been dominant in the circle for Arkansas and is 16th in the country with a 0.62 ERA. Through nine appearances. Storms has a perfect 7-0 record and a team-high 40 strikeouts.
#23/19 Baylor
• Baylor has posted a 14-2 record to start 2020.
• The Bears' hot start has been due in large part to their pitching staff, led by reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Gia Rodoni. In 10 appearances, Rodoni has gone 6-1 with a 0.82 ERA and is 35th in the country with 59 strikeouts.
• OF Josie Bower and INF/C Taylor Ellis have each drove in 11 RBIs to help power the Baylor offense. Bower has also added three doubles and a pair of home runs.
Villanova
• Villanova is currently 8-7, and has picked up wins against Power 5 schools Penn State and Clemson.
• The Wildcats are led by P/INF Paige Rauch. Offensively, Rauch is the team leader in batting average (.413), RBIs (18) and home runs (7). Her seven home runs puts her in a tie for fourth in the country. In the circle, she is 40th in the country with 54 strikeouts while posting a 7-2 record in 10 appearances.
• INF Chloe Smith will look to add to a solid freshmen season, as she is hitting .383 and driven in 11 RBIs with five home runs.
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State is 3-12 all-time against the tournament field. The Flashes are 1-6 against Florida State, with the most recent meeting coming in 2010 when the Seminoles won 6-0. Kent State is 2-4 against Baylor, with the Flashes earning a pair of wins against the Bears in 2019. Villanova has won both previous meetings against Kent State, most recently earning a 4-2 win in 2018. This will be the first time the Flashes have met Arkansas in softball.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will continue on the road next weekend as they travel to Durham, N.C. for four games at the Duke Invitational from March 6-7.
