Kent State University
LIU
Kent State Heads to FGCU Kickoff Classic for First Pitch of 2022 Campaign
2/10/2022 5:13:00 PM | Softball
For the second time in the last four years, the Kent State softball team will begin its season at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers. The Golden Flashes are scheduled for a pair of games on both Friday and Saturday, and then a single game Sunday morning.
A challenging slate of games awaits Kent State, including a pair of top-15 opponents and four contests against teams that posted top-75 RPI finishes last spring. In addition to facing three Power Five schools—No. 10/8 Texas, No. 15/14 Clemson and Boston College — the Flashes will play LIU twice. Â
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 11
10 a.m.       vs. LIU
2:30 p.m.     vs. #15/14 Clemson
Saturday, February 12
10 a.m.       vs. LIU
2:30 p.m.     vs. Boston College
Sunday, February 13
11:45 a.m.   vs. #10/8 Texas
About the Flashes
Kent State was picked second in the 2022 Mid-American Conference softball preseason coaches' poll. Defending champion Miami received all 11 first-place votes, but four head coaches chose the Golden Flashes to win the MAC Tournament, which returns this season with a condensed four-team field.
Standouts Brenna Brownfield and Andrea Scali are back for their fifth year on campus after each was sidelined for significant portions of the 2021 season. Brownfield, the 2019 MAC Player of the Year, batted .370 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in just 40 games during the past two seasons. Scali, who was named 2019 MAC Pitcher of the Year during her only full collegiate season, ranks eighth all-time with 348 strikeouts over just 255.0 innings and has allowed opposing batters to hit at just a .189 clip.
Sophomore Jessica LeBeau headlines a deep pitching staff and will team with Scali to give Kent State one of the top starting pitching duos in the conference. Despite being thrust into the ace spot just one game into her true freshman season, LeBeau earned All-MAC Second Team honors and became the fourth freshman in school history to strike out at least 200 batters and finished the season with 207. Juniors Gabbie Sherman and Morgan Bowers provided depth last season.
Seniors Brooklyn Whitt and Sabrina Kerschner join Brownfield as the most experienced hitters in the Flashes' lineup. Whitt's breakout 2021 season resulted in an All-MAC Second Team selection. The outfielder led Kent State in runs scored (34), doubles (9) and stolen bases (9) and was second in batting average (.371) and hits (61). Kerschner has a .310 batting average over the past two seasons and brings contagious energy to the diamond. Junior Julia Mazanec has shown the ability to make web gem plays in the field and displayed an improved bat over the final month of the season.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will take a week off before heading back down South for five games in the Camel Stampede Feb. 25-27. The tournament field will include host Campbell, Marshall and Howard.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
