Kent State University
Akron
Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Heads to Softball Diamond
3/23/2023 2:48:00 PM | Softball
Kent State will visit Lee R. Jackson Field this weekend for a Mid-American Conference series against rival Akron. The winner of the three-game series will earn one point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings, which Kent State currently leads 7.5-0.5.
The series schedule has been adjusted due to weather forecasts, and the teams will now play a doubleheader on Friday, March 24 at 1 p.m. and a single game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.
About the Flashes
Kent State (6-16) lost a road game to Ohio State, 4-3, on Tuesday despite leading by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshmen Bri Despines and Brynn Libler led the Golden Flashes at the plate with two hits each while combining for all of the team's RBIs.
Despines leads Kent State in several hitting categories, including batting average (.328), hits (20), doubles (5) and on-base percentage (.431). Junior Emily Lippe is tied for third in the MAC with six home runs and has a team-best 17 RBIs. Sophomores Delaney Robeson (11) and Savannah Wing (10) both have double-digit reached base streaks.
Redshirt senior Anilese Kelly (2-6) leads the pitching staff with 46 strikeouts over 64.1 innings and a 4.79 ERA. Freshman Macy Irelan (3-6) has recorded 27 strikeouts and three saves in 18 appearances inside the circle.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (13-9, 1-1 MAC) took both games from Robert Morris (2-1, 13-4) in doubleheader action on Tuesday after opening MAC play with a two-game split against Northern Illinois. Akron is the only team that ranks in the top-3 in the conference in scoring (4.64), batting average (.294), ERA (2.84) and fielding percentage (.968).
Brooke Sivek is batting .381 on the season and has the second most hits (33) in the MAC. Sivek leads the Zips with 19 runs scored and eight stolen bases. Laurel DeVoe has a .333 batting average with six doubles. Alexis Campbell is tied for second in the conference with 21 RBIs and is hitting .381 at the plate.
Haley Croyle (6-2) is the MAC leader with a 1.56 ERA and is limiting opposing hitters to a .167 batting average. Croyle has 52 strikeouts in 58.1 innings.
Series History
Kent State is 86-48-1 all-time against Akron. The Golden Flashes have won eight of the past nine meetings, including four straight wins in Akron. Head coach Eric Oakley is 15-4 against the Zips.
On Deck
Kent State will play three-game series on the road against Central Michigan (March 28-29) and Robert Morris (April 1-2).
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
