Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Visit Broncos for MAC Softball Series
4/20/2023 3:19:00 PM | Softball
Kent State looks to begin a run at a spot in next month's Mid-American Conference Softball Tournament this weekend when it plays three games at Western Michigan.
The series schedule has been adjusted due to weather forecasts in Kalamazoo. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. A single game will conclude the series at 1 p.m. Saturday.
About the Flashes
Kent State (10-27, 5-10 MAC) lost both games of a shortened series against Toledo this past weekend. The Golden Flashes posted a .315 batting average as a team with junior Emily Lippe, senior Julia Mazanec, sophomore Delaney Robeson and sophomore Savannah Wing collecting three hits apiece. Lippe, who reached base in six of seven plate appearances, and Wing both hit home runs.
On the season, freshman Bri Despines leads the offense with a .337 batting average and nine doubles while driving in 16 runs. Despines has reached base in 20 of the last 21 games and has a team-high .481 on-base percentage. Junior Emily Lippe is tied for third in the MAC with 10 home runs and has a team-best 23 RBIs. Redshirt senior Alexandria Whitmore has recorded a hit in 15 of the last 16 games.
Freshman Macy Irelan (5-10) has recorded 54 strikeouts in a team-high 28 appearances and is tied for the conference lead with three saves. Redshirt senior Anilese Kelly (4-12) leads the pitching staff with 68 strikeouts over 112.0 innings and a 4.19 ERA.
Scouting Western Michigan
The Broncos (14-21, 7-10 MAC) have been outscored 30-5 during their current four-game losing streak. Western Michigan ranks ninth in the MAC in scoring (3.21 runs per game) and has plated more than four runs just once in its last 11 conference games.
Addison Hudson leads offense with a .363 batting average and 33 hits. Courtney Farrish provides power with 10 doubles, three home runs and 15 RBIs. Alyssa Kramer and Payton Kelly have driven in 14 runs each.
Rissa Bajusz (9-9) ranks among the top five in the MAC in ERA (2.74), opponent batting average (.225) and strikeouts (118).
Series History
Kent State is 59-35 all-time against Western Michigan. Last season, the Golden Flashes lost a three-game series at home despite outscoring the Broncos 9-4 over three games. The last time the teams played in Kalamazoo, Kent State swept a three-game series by a combined score of 15-6 during the 2019 season. Head coach Eric Oakley has gone 11-4 against the Broncos.
On Deck
Kent State is scheduled to host Buffalo for a three-game series at Devine Diamond on April 25-26.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
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