Kent State University
Louisville
Slate of Power Conference Matchups Await Flashes at South Florida Showdown
2/20/2025 1:08:00 PM | Softball
The Kent State softball team will play five games at the South Florida Showdown this weekend, including three against opponents from power conferences and a fourth against a South Florida team that is receiving votes in the D1Softball Top 25.
Live stats will be available for all games via StatBroadcast, and Saturday evening's game against host South Florida will be streamed on ESPN+.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 21
9:00 a.m. vs. Louisville
11:15 a.m. vs. Michigan
Saturday, February 22
6:15 p.m. vs. Wisconsin
8:30 p.m. at South Florida
Sunday, February 23
11:30 a.m. vs. Troy
About the Flashes
Kent State seeks its first winning weekend after opening the season by going 2-3 at the Camel Stampede and 1-3 at the Battle at the Beach.
Delaney Robeson is having a strong start to her senior campaign and ranks in the top-five in the Mid-American Conference in batting average (.480), hits (12), doubles (3) and RBIs (10). Robeson, who is seven hits away from 100 for her career, also leads the Golden Flashes in on-base percentage (.552) and OPS (1.152).
Senior Katie Jo Moery has reached base in every game and collected a hit in eight of nine games to start the season. Moery has a pair of doubles, one home run and eight RBIs.
Sophomore Aaralyn Nogay has also reached safely in each game and leads the team in runs scored (8) and stolen bases (3).
Freshman Ella Johnson (1-0) leads the pitching staff with eight appearances and ranks third in the MAC with 14 strikeouts over 17.1 innings. Redshirt sophomore Kendal Leitner (1-1) is right behind with 13 strikeouts.
Scouting the Opposition
Louisville
The Cardinals improved to 7-3 on the season after a 4-1 showing at the FAU Tournament this past weekend. Chelsea Mack is the top hitter with a .440 batting average, while Char Lorenz supplies power with five extra-base hits and team-high 11 RBIs. Alyssa Zabala (4-0) has been excellent in the circle with a 1.48 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
Michigan
The Wolverines are just 5-4 overall but have outscored the opposition 25-1 during a current three-game winning streak. Indiana Langford leads the way at the plate with a .412 batting average, while Lilly Vallimont has a team-high eight RBIs. Lauren Derkowski (3-1) has thrown three shutouts and owns a 0.71 ERA with 31 strikeouts.
Wisconsin
The Badgers (6-4) are led at the plate by Alivia Bark and Brooke Kuffel. Bark is hitting .347 with four stolen bases, while Kuffel has a .320 batting average and four RBIs. Gabi Salo (3-2) has been the top pitcher with a 1.22 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
South Florida
The Bulls (10-2) have played every game at home and enter with a seven-game winning streak. Jamia Nelson, Alex Wilkes and Alexa Galligani are all batting .400 or higher with at least 10 RBIs. Payton Dixon (5-0) has thrown three shutouts and has a 1.62 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
Troy
The Trojans (7-3) will play away for the first time this season. Cassidy Boltz leads the way at the plate with a .517 batting average and 10 RBIs. Annie Orman is hitting .368 with a team-high 11 RBIs. Alyssa Faircloth (3-1) has been the top pitcher and has 25 strikeouts and a 3.73 ERA.
Series History vs. Opponents
Kent State has previously played four of this weekend's opponents.
- Louisville: 1-6
- Michigan: 1-20
- Wisconsin: 2-1
- South Florida: 1-4
- Troy: 0-0
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will travel south for the final time this season next weekend for five games at the Mizuno Showdown, hosted by the University of North Carolina, from Feb. 28-March 2.
Follow Kent State Softball
For complete coverage of Kent State Softball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
