Kent State University
Villanova
Softball Heads to Texas State for Opening Weekend
2/9/2023 4:34:00 PM | Softball
Kent State starts the 2023 softball campaign this weekend at the Texas State Tournament in San Marcos. The Golden Flashes are scheduled for a pair of games on both Friday and Saturday, followed by a single game Sunday morning.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 10
1:30 p.m. ET vs. Villanova
6:30 p.m. ET at Texas State
Saturday, February 11
11 a.m. ET at Texas State
4 p.m. ET vs. Wichita State
Sunday, February 12
11:00 a.m. ET vs. Villanova
About the Flashes
Kent State was picked sixth in the 2023 Mid-American Conference softball preseason coaches' poll, which was announced on Thursday. The top four teams in the final standings will qualify for the MAC Tournament, which will be hosted by the top seed.
Eighth-year head coach Eric Oakley returns five field position starters, highlighted by All-MAC Second Team selection Madison Hershberger. The junior lefty batted .364 during conference play last season and posted a 1.042 OPS. Overall, Hershberger had a .333 batting average and team-high .403 on-base percentage. Junior Emily Lippe's powerful bat returns to the lineup. Lippe led the Flashes with 15 extra-base hits, including nine home runs, and 27 RBIs in 2022. Savannah Wing was second on the team with 31 hits and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.
The departure of two All-MAC pitchers leaves Kent State with just 63 innings in the circle back from last year's staff that posted a 3.04 earned run average. Kylie Ringler showed glimpses of being the program's next pitching star and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Ringler went 5-3 record with a 3.14 ERA and .239 opponent batting average last season. She tossed a seven-inning shutout in her college debut against LIU and followed with the fifth perfect game in school history in her next start against Howard. Redshirt junior Gabbie Sherman posted a 10-11 in 2021 before being sidelined all of last season.
Scouting the Opposition
Villanova
The Wildcats have won two consecutive Big East titles and are picked second in this season's preseason poll. Villanova won 32 games a season ago, going 16-7 in conference play. The Wildcats totaled 51 home runs, 75 doubles, and 209 RBIs, all second-most in the conference, while the pitching staff combined for the second-lowest ERA (2.73). Chloe Smith (.326/.396/.494) and Ryan Henry (.262/.306/.469) will power the Wildcat offense while Kelsey White will serve as the team's ace on the mound.
Texas State
Texas State was picked second in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll after losing in the conference championship game in 2022. The Bobcats are led by Jessica Mullins, last year's Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and the 2023 Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Mullins finished 2022 with a 1.80 ERA, 253 strikeouts and a 27-13 record. Infielder Sara Vanderford and outfielder Ciara Trahan also earned Preseason All-Sun Belt recognitions and will look to lead the Bobcats in the field.
Wichita State
Wichita State was picked second in the American Athletic Conference's preseason poll following a 34-18 season in which it went 14-4 in conference play. The Shockers return Addison Barnard, last year's Conference Player of the Year, and Sydney McKinney, who led the nation in hits (97) and batting average (.522). Both earned All-America honors a season ago and were named to the USA Softball Top 50 Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. Last year, the Shockers' high-powered offense finished the year ranked second in the country in home runs (121) and runs per game (7.98) and third in batting average (.348).
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State is 1-4 all-time against the tournament field.
Villanova has won both previous meetings on the diamond, a 4-2 victory on Feb. 25, 2018, in Madeira Beach, Florida and a 9-1 win on Feb. 29, 2020, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Kent State defeated Texas State, 1-0, in the only previous game on Feb. 7, 2009, in DeLand, Florida. Varsity "K" Hall of Fame member Kylie Reynolds recorded 11 strikeouts in the two-hit victory.
Wichita State has won both previous meetings on the diamond, an 8-1 victory on April 1, 1994, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a 5-0 win on Feb. 28, 1998, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will travel to Baltimore for double-round robin action against Niagara and Host UMBC on Feb. 17-18.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
