Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Kent State Softball Announces Changes to Weekend Series Against WMU
4/10/2024 3:59:00 PM | Softball
KENT, Ohio — Due to projected rain showers on Friday, the Kent State softball team has made changes to the schedule for the weekend's home series against Western Michigan. A doubleheader is still slated for 1 p.m. at Devine Diamond on Saturday, while the finale of the three-game Mid-American Conference series will now be played on Sunday at 11 a.m.
About the Golden Flashes
Kent State (19-14, 5-6 MAC) won the series finale at Toledo on Sunday, 8-2, to outscore the host Rockets in the series despite dropping two of three games.
The offense has shown much improvement this season, as the Golden Flashes rank 38th nationally with a .313 batting average while ranking second in the MAC in slugging percentage (.456) and third in scoring (5.03 runs per game).
Junior Savannah Wing is having a breakout season and is chasing the program's single-season doubles record. Wing has 15 two-baggers, which ranks ninth nationally, while batting .364 with a team-high 29 RBIs.
Graduate students Julia Mazanec and Alexandria Whitmore form one of the best left sides of the infield in the conference. Mazanec leads the team with a .369 batting average, while Whitmore has a team-high 39 hits and 11 stolen bases. Both players have scored 25 runs.
Senior Emily Lippe has a career-best .303 batting average and is second on the team with 24 RBIs.
Sophomore Macy Irelan (7-6) leads a pitching staff with the second-lowest opponent batting average (.257) in the MAC. Irelan ranks second in the conference with a 2.43 ERA and has 96 strikeouts, which is third. Freshman Megan Nuechterlein (12-6) shares MAC lead with 12 wins.
Scouting the Opposition
Western Michigan (17-16, 6-5 MAC) is scheduled to play at Michigan State on Wednesday. The Broncos have dropped back-to-back games to Central Michigan and Notre Dame to snap a seven-game winning streak.
Rissa Bajusz (9-9) has been terrific in the circle and ranks 11th in the country with 147 strikeouts while also leading the MAC in ERA (2.02) and opponent batting average (.193). Bajusz has thrown four shutouts and recorded double-digit strikeouts in six appearances.
Riley Dittmar leads the Broncos at the plate with a .374 batting average and 22 RBIs. Megan Welsh has hit a team-best five home runs.
Series History
Kent State is 61-36 all-time against Western Michigan and won two of three games in last season's series.
On Deck
Kent State will travel to Buffalo for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 16.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
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