Kent State University
Miami
Softball Starts MAC Schedule at Miami
3/18/2022 5:18:00 PM | Softball
The Kent State softball team will begin the 30-game Mid-American Conference schedule with a series at preseason favorite Miami this weekend. A doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday with first pitch for the series finale slated for 12 p.m. Sunday.
The Golden Flashes (6-9) were picked to finish second in the MAC preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's 11 head coaches, while the RedHawks (7-10) was the unanimous favorite after posting an impressive 36-2 league record last season. Both teams were challenged during the early portion of the season, combining for 16 games against teams from Power Five conferences.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, March 19
1 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Game 1
3 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Game 2
Sunday, March 20
12 p.m.        Game 3
Last Time Out
Kent State's scheduled three-game series at No. 19/17 Michigan last weekend was shortened to a doubleheader. The Wolverines took advantage of six errors to win the opening game, 11-1, in five innings. The Golden Flashes rallied for three runs in the final two innings of the nightcap, but an error in the bottom of the seventh extended the inning and allowed Michigan to record a 4-3 walk-off victory.
Redshirt senior Andrea Scali and sophomore Jessica LeBeau were solid in the circle, allowing only five earned runs while combining for 12 strikeouts and just a single walk over 10.2 innings.
Sophomore Jade Ramer singled up the middle in the top of the first inning of the opener, but Kent State's only other hits on the day were solo home runs by sophomores Madison Hershberger and Alex Fiske.
Flash Facts
Pitching has been a strength for Kent State, as it ranks second in the MAC in shutouts (4) and opponent batting average (.246) and third in earned run average (3.41). Sophomore Jessica LeBeau (3-4) has a 3.06 ERA and ranks second in the conference in strikeouts per seven innings pitched (10.0). Freshman Kylie Ringler (2-1) shutout LIU (1-0) in her first collegiate appearance on Feb. 12 and threw the fifth perfect game in program history against Howard (8-0) on Feb. 26 but was unable to get out of the first inning in her following start against Michigan on March 4. Ringler has a team-best 2.21 ERA and has 10 strikeouts over 12.2 innings. Redshirt senior Andrea Scali, the 2019 MAC Pitcher of the Year in her only full season of college softball, seeks her first victory since March 7, 2020, despite just a 2.28 ERA.
Freshman Savannah Wing is the only Flash to start every game this season and leads the team in batting average (.393), runs scored (6), RBIs (6), on-base percentage (.475) and slugging percentage (.452). Freshman Delaney Robeson is right behind with five RBIs. Senior Chloe Cruz is tied for the MAC lead with two triples.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
