Kent State University
Gardner-Webb
Softball Heads to Catamount Classic for Final Tournament Weekend
3/7/2024 3:17:00 PM | Softball
Kent State will be in action in the state of North Carolina for the third and final time this season with five games at the Catamount Classic this weekend. Both games against host Western Carolina will be streamed on ESPN+.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
10 a.m .     vs. Gardner-Webb
3 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â vs. Western Carolina
Saturday, March 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
12:30 p.m.  vs. North Carolina Central
5:30 p.m.    vs. Western Carolina
Sunday, March 10Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
10 a.m.      vs. Gardner-Webb
About the Golden Flashes
Kent State (7-7) looks to get back above .500 after going 1-4 at the Ole Miss Classic last weekend. The Golden Flashes' offense has shown much improvement early in the season and ranks third in the Mid-American Conference in batting average (.317) and slugging percentage (.444). Four players are hitting above .350 with double-digit hits.
Sophomore Bri Despines opened the season with a nine-game hitting streak and is third in the MAC in batting average (.452) and fifth in on-base percentage (.510). Despines also leads Kent State with 13 runs scored and is tied for second with nine RBIs. Graduate student Julia Mazanec has recorded a hit in all but two games she has played and owns a .368 batting average. Junior Savannah Wing is close behind at .364 and is tied for second on the team with five extra-base hits. Senior Emily Lippe leads the team with three home runs and 14 RBIs while hitting at a .357 clip.
Sophomore Macy Irelan (2-3), the only member of the pitching staff with collegiate experience entering the season, has made appearances in 13 of 14 games and leads the MAC with two saves. Irelan has totaled half of the team's innings in the circle (44.0) and has a 2.55 ERA. Freshman Megan Nuechterlein (5-3) tied for third in the conference in victories and has 22 strikeouts over 29.1 innings.
Scouting the Opposition
Gardner-Webb
The Bulldogs (14-6) are led at the plate by Annicka McLaughlin's .364 batting average. Adrienne Visintine is hitting .339 and leads the team with four home runs and 13 RBIs. Andrea Lyon (6-2) is the ace of the pitching staff and boasts a 1.88 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 48.0 innings.
Western Carolina
The Catamounts (2-8) have lost seven in a row. Tessa Juett leads the team at the plate with a .421 batting average and in the pitching circle with a 2.69 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Savannah Baldwin has a team-high five RBIs.
North Carolina Central
The Eagles (4-14) have lost nine in a row and are hitting .200 as a team. Kendall Smith leads the offense with a .296 batting average, seven runs scored and three stolen bases. Jaylah Barr has a team-high two home runs and 10 RBIs. Jaden Davis (1-8) leads the pitching staff with 25 strikeouts.
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State 4-0 all-time against North Carolina Central and will play both Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina for the first time.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will open the home portion of the schedule at Devine Diamond against Youngstown State on Wednesday, March 13.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
