Kent State University
George Mason
Softball Heads to UNCW for Weekend Tournament Action
2/22/2024 12:21:00 PM | Softball
The Kent State softball team returns to action for the first time since opening weekend and will play five games as part of a tournament hosted by UNCW.
The Golden Flashes are scheduled to play games against five different opponents.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 23
5 p.m. vs. George Mason
7:30 p.m. at UNCW
Saturday, February 24
12 p.m. vs. UMBC
5 p.m. vs. Merrimack
Sunday, February 25
8:30 a.m. vs. Providence
About the Flashes
Kent State went 3-2 during opening weekend at the Elon Softball Classic on Feb. 8-10. The Golden Flashes showed improved hitting throughout the lineup, totaling at least five runs and 10 hits in every game.
Four players hit .400 or better with at least six hits. Senior Emily Lippe led the way with a .438 batting average, two home runs and nine RBIs. Sophomore Bri Despines scored a team-high six runs while hitting .438 and driving in five runs. Graduate student Alexandria Whitmore and junior Delaney Robeson both posted a .400 batting average. Whitmore led the Flashes with eight hits and swiped a pair of bases. Despines, Whitmore, freshman Megan Claerhout, graduate student Julia Mazanec and sophomore Carley Penner all reached base in every game.
Sophomore Macy Irelan (1-0), the only member of the pitching staff with collegiate experience entering the season, led the way with a 2.47 ERA and eight strikeouts. Freshman Ella Esterby (0-1) made three starts in the circle and freshman Megan Nuechterlein (2-1) tossed a team-high 12.2 innings.
Scouting the Opposition
George Mason
The Patriots (2-6) are led at the plate by Rachel Warrens' .381 batting average. Maddy Myers has a team-high five RBIs and has reached base in all eight games. Carly Cooper (1-3) leads the pitching staff with a 4.14 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
UNCW
The Seahawks (5-4) will be hosting their second tournament of the season. Skylar Stockton is hitting .500 and has a .621 on-base percentage. Mary Sobataka has a team-high five RBIs and went 5-for-6 at the plate in a doubleheader at Jacksonville this past Saturday. The pitching staff has a 1.99 ERA and is holding opponents to a .195 batting average.
UMBC
The Retrievers (1-1) were selected as the preseason favorite in the America East, which it has won each of the past three seasons. Ella Squaires, Ashley Della Guardia and Jolie Torrens all hit .500 or better during the team's doubleheader against Saint Peter's last Friday. Jerzie Nutile (1-0) recorded six strikeouts and allowed just one unearned run in a complete game effort.
Merrimack
The Warriors (1-4) are led at the plate by Madison Cerpa, who is batting .313 with two RBIs and has reached base in all five games. Madie Fornwalt (1-2) leads the pitching staff with two complete games and nine strikeouts.
Providence
The Friars (1-4) are led by Emma Dourna's bat. Dourna has a .400 batting average and team-high six hits. Alyssa Tworney (0-0) has appeared in four games this season, totaling a 2.52 ERA, 8.1 innings and three strikeouts.
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State is 7-3 all-time against this weekend's competition. The Golden Flashes have gone 2-1 against George Mason, 3-1 against UNCW, 1-0 against UMBC and 1-1 against Providence. This will be the first meeting on the diamond with Merrimack.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play five games at the Ole Miss Classic from March 1-3.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
