Kent State University
Akron
Kent State Softball Announces Changes to Senior Weekend Schedule
5/1/2024 1:30:00โฏPM | Softball
KENT, Ohio โ Due to Saturday's projected weather forecast, the Kent State softball team has made changes to the schedule for the upcoming Senior Weekend series against rival Akron.
The three-game series will now begin on Friday with an 11 a.m. doubleheader at Devine Diamond. Senior Day festivities for Golden Flashes Emily Lippe, Julia Mazanec and Alexandria Whitmore will be held prior to Sunday's finale, which is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
Both teams are in contention for the sixth and final spot in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament, which will be played at Firestone Stadium in Akron from May 8-11, entering the final weekend of the regular season.
About the Golden Flashes
Kent State (25-22, 10-14 MAC) sits eighth in the conference standings but will claim the No. 6 seed in next week's MAC Tournament with a sweep of the rival Zips. The Golden Flashes can also earn the final spot in the tournament by winning two of three games if Central Michigan takes at least two games in its series against Ball State.
The Golden Flashes are hitting better than .300 for the first time since 2018 and rank third in the MAC in batting average (.301) and scoring (4.60 runs per game).
Graduate student Julia Mazanec leads the way at the plate and holds top-10 rankings in the conference in batting average (.389), hits (56) and runs scored (39). Junior Savannah Wing is having a breakout season and is chasing the program's single-season doubles record. Wing has 18 two-baggers, which ranks seventh nationally, while batting .319 with a team-high 36 RBIs. Senior Emily Lippe has launched a team-high nine home runs and is second on the team with 30 RBIs.
Freshman Megan Nuechterlein (18-11) is tied for the conference lead with 18 wins and ranks third in innings pitched (156.2). Sophomore Macy Irelan (7-7) ranks third in the MAC with a 2.56 ERA and sixth with 102 strikeouts.
Scouting the Opposition
Akron (22-28, 10-13 MAC) has lost three in a row after dropping a pair Tuesday at Ohio.
Meagan Lee is the MAC leader and ranks in the top-20 nationally with a .432 batting average and 73 hits. Sophia Wygast is among the conference's best freshmen with nine home runs and 37 RBIs.
Macy Walters (8-9), Haley Croyle (7-1) and Cailey Joyce (5-8) have thrown nearly 100 inning each this season.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
