Kent State University
Akron
Rivalry Series Starts Home Softball Schedule
3/24/2022 12:17:00 PM | Softball
Kent State opens its 15-game home schedule at the Diamond at Dix this weekend against rival Akron. The winner of the three-game series will earn a point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings.
Due to the forecasted weather in the area, the Golden Flashes (6-12, 0-3 MAC) and Zips are now scheduled for a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Friday. First pitch for the series finale is slated for 12 p.m. Saturday. Follow Kent State Softball on Twitter for potential changes throughout the weekend.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 25
12 p.m.       Game 1
2 p.m.         Game 2
Saturday, March 26
12 p.m.       Game 3
Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge
The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge is based on a time-honored competition for an historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game. Prior to the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include NCAA varsity sports sponsored by both schools, with victories in each sport adding one point to the challenge standings. The school that accumulates the most total points in all varsity matchups for each academic year is presented with an overall series trophy.
Although the challenge has seen many iterations due to Akron's ever-changing sport sponsorship, the current version includes 14 sports. Kent State won the challenge a year ago, 8.5-5.5. Akron enters the weekend with a slim 4.5-4.0 lead this year.
Last Time Out
Kent State lost all three games of its first Mid-American Conference series last weekend at Miami. After allowing five home runs in a 10-2 loss on Saturday, the Golden Flashes' pitching held the RedHawks to only three runs during Sunday's doubleheader. The offense was unable to produce any runs, however, and Kent State fell 1-0 and 2-0 in eight innings.
Sophomore Jessica LeBeau had eight strikeouts and allowed just three hits in the opening game on Sunday, but a solo home run in the fourth inning was the difference. Redshirt senior Andrea Scali was removed during the second inning on Saturday but bounced back to hold the RedHawks scoreless through seven innings in the season finale on Sunday before allowing a walk-off two-run homer in the eighth. Scali totaled nine strikeouts and allowed six runs over 8.1 innings.
Senior Sabrina Kerschner led Kent State at the plate with two hits in the series. Senior Chloe Cruz drove in both runs on Saturday. Fifth-year Madyson Cole and junior Julia Mazanec each had a double for the Flashes' only extra base hits.
Flash Facts
Pitching has been a strength for Kent State, as it ranks second in the MAC in shutouts (4) third in opponent batting average (.244) and fourth in earned run average (3.38). Sophomore Jessica LeBeau (3-5) has a 2.78 ERA and ranks third in the conference in strikeouts per seven innings pitched (9.9). 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 2.87 ERA. 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.
Freshman Savannah Wing is the only Flash to start every game this season and leads the team in batting average (.297), runs scored (6), RBIs (6), on-base percentage (.438) and slugging percentage (.378). Senior Chloe Cruz also has six RBIs and is tied for the MAC lead with two triples. Freshman Delaney Robeson is right behind with five RBIs.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (6-18, 1-2 MAC) took both games in a doubleheader at Robert Morris (7-2, 9-4) on Tuesday and have won four of their past six games. Akron went 1-2 against Central Michigan in its first MAC series and was shutout for the seventh time this season in the series finale.
Molly McChesney leads the Zips at the plate with a .344 batting average. Jaiden Bryant had a career day against Robert Morris on Tuesday, launching a pair of homers and driving in seven runs. Bryant leads Akron with 11 RBIs and has three home runs, sharing the team lead with Laurel DeVoe.
Seven Zips have thrown at least pitching 10 innings this season as part of a staff that has a 6.39 ERA. Lexie Petrof (3-5) leads the way with 40 strikeouts and 43.1 innings pitched, while Alexa DiFeo (1-3) has 33 strikeouts in 30.2 innings.
Series History
Kent State is 84-47-1 all-time against Akron. The Golden Flashes have won six straight contests, including a four-game sweep last season by a combined score of 22-8. Head coach Eric Oakley is 13-3 against the Zips.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play six games over five days in the state of Indiana during spring break next week. The Golden Flashes will head to Purdue Fort Wayne for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 29 and then play a single game at Indiana University on Wednesday, March 30. A three-game MAC series at Ball State on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 will conclude the trip.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
