The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, February 11
Leesburg, Fla.
4:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
University of Pittsburgh
Akron Kicks Off 2022 Season in Florida
February 10 | Softball
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Follow Coach Pettipiece on Twitter
AKRON, Ohio- The Akron softball team will get its 2022 season underway this weekend in Leesburg, Fla. Playing at the Northern Lights/ Southern Nights Tournament hosted by The Spring Games Friday through Sunday, Feb. 11-13. The Zips will face Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Penn State.
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GAME INFORMATION
Akron enters its 45th season of intercollegiate competition in 2022. Under the direction of third-year head coach Meaggan Pettipiece, the Zips return 18 players from the Zips' 2021 squad and have added eight newcomers to the 2022 roster.
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The Zips finished last season with an 8-46 overall record and 7-33 in conference play.
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Akron returns  two of their top-four hitter from a year ago in sophomore OF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) who led the offensive exploits last season batting a team-best .260 on the strength of team-high marks in hits (26), runs (17) and stolen bases (15), while ranking second in triples (1). Sophomore Tiffany Stevens (Toledo, Ohio) led the team with nine doubles, while sophomore Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio) owned a team-best six home runs.
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The Zips return a A trio of Akron pitchers have tossed 50 or more innings in the circle, including 98.1, 87.1 and 84.2innings, respectively, from sophomore P Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio), senior P Olivia Otani (Canton, Ohio) and redshirt junior Lexie Petrof (Ligonier, Pa.). Stefanoni, Petrof and Otani earned 101, 59 and 47 strikeouts, respectively.
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Joining the roster in 2022 are eight newcomers; freshman OF Leea Ibarra (Findlay, Ohio), OF Angela Cirone (Louisville, Ohio), INF Lexi Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.), OF Autumn Bailey (Ashland, Ohio), P Â Emily Farlin (Stanton, Calif.), INF McKenzie Cornwell (Amherst, Ohio), C/OF Megan Cotton (Sammamish, Wash.), and P Elizabeth Frederick (Williamsburg, Pa.).
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SCOUTING PITT
Pitt is led by Cami Compson, EC Taylor and Sarah Seamans. Compson was the team-leader in batting average last season hitting .325 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI. Taylor hit .315, stealing 27 bases on 31 tries. The powerful Sarah Seamans hit 13 homers on a .293 avg with a team-high 35 RBI.
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In the circle, Pitt was led by Abby Edwards in 2021, who posted a 4.30 ERA in 26 appearances and 16 starts. Pitt added transfer Ally Muraskin to the rotation for 2022 after her stops at FIU, USC Beaufort and Jacksonville. Muraskin last turned in a 1.00 ERA performance over 25 appearances and 17 starts at Beaufort in 2021. She had a 1.43 ERA at FIU in 2020.
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SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats boast four All-Big Ten selections on this year's squad, including senior pitcher Danielle Williams, a two-time All-Big Ten selection and Preseason All-American selection by Softball America. Williams enjoyed a season for the record books in 2021, throwing a perfect game against Iowa and compiling a 17-7 record with a 2.21 ERA.Â
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Infielder Rachel Lewis, catcher Jordyn Rudd, and outfielder Skyler Shellmyer will also look to replicate their 2021 success this season. Lewis finished as the Big Ten's leader in stolen bases (30) and ranked third in runs scored (39), while Shellmyer ranked fourth in the Big Ten in batting average (.362). Rudd and Shellmyer were also 2021 selections on the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team.Â
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SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin returns 16 players from last season's roster including all of their projected starters bringing back newfound experience from a young Badger team last year. Key returners for Wisconsin include the Badgers' No. 1 pitcher in the circle Maddie Schwartz who finished last season with a 2.23 ERA. Also returning is Wisconsin's 2021 batting average leader Fiona Girardot (.324), senior outfielder and stolen bases leader (19) Ally Miklesh, fifth year shortstop Lauren Foster, Big Ten All-Freshman Team utility player Peyton Bannon and 2021 RBI (25) and home run (6) leader Megan Donahue.
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SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State returns 18 players from 2021, including 13 upperclassmen, led by the senior class of Bailey Parshall, Lilia Crouthamel, Shelli Rivard, Kylee Lingenfelter, Claire Swedberg and Ally Kurland.
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Lefty ace Bailey Parshall enters the 2022 season just four strikeouts away from hitting 400 in her career. Parshall, now a senior, sits sixth all-time in the Penn State record books for career strikeouts with 396 through three seasons, and also has seven career saves to stand third all-time. She finished the 2021 season fifth in the Big Ten and 47th nationally with a 4.88 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
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SCOUTING MICHGAN STATE
The Spartans return a majority of the roster from 2021, including breakout pitcher Ashley Miller (1.99 ERA, 112.2 innings pitcher). Junior Sarah Ladd is the most experienced pitcher on the roster having made starts for the Spartans in 2020 and 2021. Michigan State returns it top 10 hitters by total plate appearance in 2021, highlighted by Mackenzie Meech who hit a team-best .284, veteran starter Caitie Ladd and team OPS leader Jenae Wash. Michigan State welcomes five newcomers to the team in 2021, all of which should see action this weekend. Jessica Mabrey is a transfer from University of the Pacific where she hit .279 along with a .362 on base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage. Also joining the Spartans are freshmen Faith Guidry (RHP), Macy Lee (C/1B), Ashley Martin (RHP) and Kayleigh Roper (INF).
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UP NEXT
Akron will return to action as the Zips compete in the Clemson Classic on Feb. 25-27 in South Carolina. The Zips will face Saint Francis on Friday, Feb. 25, and take on Boston University and Clemson on Saturday, Feb. 26.
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Follow Coach Pettipiece on Twitter
AKRON, Ohio- The Akron softball team will get its 2022 season underway this weekend in Leesburg, Fla. Playing at the Northern Lights/ Southern Nights Tournament hosted by The Spring Games Friday through Sunday, Feb. 11-13. The Zips will face Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Penn State.
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GAME INFORMATION
- Game 1: Akron vs. Pitt – Friday, Feb. 11; 4 PM
- Game 2: Akron vs. Northwestern – Saturday, Feb. 12; 10 AM
- Game 3: Akron vs. Wisconsin – Saturday, Feb. 12; 1 PM
- Game 4: Akron vs. Penn St – Sunday, Feb. 13; 9 AM
- Game 5: Akron vs. Michigan State – Sunday, Feb. 13; 11:30 AM
- All games will be live streamed via FloSoftball which requires a subscription to watch.
Akron enters its 45th season of intercollegiate competition in 2022. Under the direction of third-year head coach Meaggan Pettipiece, the Zips return 18 players from the Zips' 2021 squad and have added eight newcomers to the 2022 roster.
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The Zips finished last season with an 8-46 overall record and 7-33 in conference play.
Â
Akron returns  two of their top-four hitter from a year ago in sophomore OF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) who led the offensive exploits last season batting a team-best .260 on the strength of team-high marks in hits (26), runs (17) and stolen bases (15), while ranking second in triples (1). Sophomore Tiffany Stevens (Toledo, Ohio) led the team with nine doubles, while sophomore Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio) owned a team-best six home runs.
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The Zips return a A trio of Akron pitchers have tossed 50 or more innings in the circle, including 98.1, 87.1 and 84.2innings, respectively, from sophomore P Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio), senior P Olivia Otani (Canton, Ohio) and redshirt junior Lexie Petrof (Ligonier, Pa.). Stefanoni, Petrof and Otani earned 101, 59 and 47 strikeouts, respectively.
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Joining the roster in 2022 are eight newcomers; freshman OF Leea Ibarra (Findlay, Ohio), OF Angela Cirone (Louisville, Ohio), INF Lexi Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.), OF Autumn Bailey (Ashland, Ohio), P Â Emily Farlin (Stanton, Calif.), INF McKenzie Cornwell (Amherst, Ohio), C/OF Megan Cotton (Sammamish, Wash.), and P Elizabeth Frederick (Williamsburg, Pa.).
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SCOUTING PITT
Pitt is led by Cami Compson, EC Taylor and Sarah Seamans. Compson was the team-leader in batting average last season hitting .325 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI. Taylor hit .315, stealing 27 bases on 31 tries. The powerful Sarah Seamans hit 13 homers on a .293 avg with a team-high 35 RBI.
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In the circle, Pitt was led by Abby Edwards in 2021, who posted a 4.30 ERA in 26 appearances and 16 starts. Pitt added transfer Ally Muraskin to the rotation for 2022 after her stops at FIU, USC Beaufort and Jacksonville. Muraskin last turned in a 1.00 ERA performance over 25 appearances and 17 starts at Beaufort in 2021. She had a 1.43 ERA at FIU in 2020.
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SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats boast four All-Big Ten selections on this year's squad, including senior pitcher Danielle Williams, a two-time All-Big Ten selection and Preseason All-American selection by Softball America. Williams enjoyed a season for the record books in 2021, throwing a perfect game against Iowa and compiling a 17-7 record with a 2.21 ERA.Â
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Infielder Rachel Lewis, catcher Jordyn Rudd, and outfielder Skyler Shellmyer will also look to replicate their 2021 success this season. Lewis finished as the Big Ten's leader in stolen bases (30) and ranked third in runs scored (39), while Shellmyer ranked fourth in the Big Ten in batting average (.362). Rudd and Shellmyer were also 2021 selections on the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team.Â
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SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin returns 16 players from last season's roster including all of their projected starters bringing back newfound experience from a young Badger team last year. Key returners for Wisconsin include the Badgers' No. 1 pitcher in the circle Maddie Schwartz who finished last season with a 2.23 ERA. Also returning is Wisconsin's 2021 batting average leader Fiona Girardot (.324), senior outfielder and stolen bases leader (19) Ally Miklesh, fifth year shortstop Lauren Foster, Big Ten All-Freshman Team utility player Peyton Bannon and 2021 RBI (25) and home run (6) leader Megan Donahue.
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SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State returns 18 players from 2021, including 13 upperclassmen, led by the senior class of Bailey Parshall, Lilia Crouthamel, Shelli Rivard, Kylee Lingenfelter, Claire Swedberg and Ally Kurland.
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Lefty ace Bailey Parshall enters the 2022 season just four strikeouts away from hitting 400 in her career. Parshall, now a senior, sits sixth all-time in the Penn State record books for career strikeouts with 396 through three seasons, and also has seven career saves to stand third all-time. She finished the 2021 season fifth in the Big Ten and 47th nationally with a 4.88 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
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SCOUTING MICHGAN STATE
The Spartans return a majority of the roster from 2021, including breakout pitcher Ashley Miller (1.99 ERA, 112.2 innings pitcher). Junior Sarah Ladd is the most experienced pitcher on the roster having made starts for the Spartans in 2020 and 2021. Michigan State returns it top 10 hitters by total plate appearance in 2021, highlighted by Mackenzie Meech who hit a team-best .284, veteran starter Caitie Ladd and team OPS leader Jenae Wash. Michigan State welcomes five newcomers to the team in 2021, all of which should see action this weekend. Jessica Mabrey is a transfer from University of the Pacific where she hit .279 along with a .362 on base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage. Also joining the Spartans are freshmen Faith Guidry (RHP), Macy Lee (C/1B), Ashley Martin (RHP) and Kayleigh Roper (INF).
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UP NEXT
Akron will return to action as the Zips compete in the Clemson Classic on Feb. 25-27 in South Carolina. The Zips will face Saint Francis on Friday, Feb. 25, and take on Boston University and Clemson on Saturday, Feb. 26.
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Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/OF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
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