Youngstown State University
Kent State
Penguins Close Out Home Slate Hosting Kent State, Oakland
4/21/2025 12:17:00 PM | Softball
The First Pitch
The Youngstown State softball team (11-36, 3-15 Horizon League) close out the home portion of its schedule when it hosts Kent State (9-34) and Horizon League foe Oakland (15-24, 6-12) this week.
At-Bat
The Penguins and Golden Flashes square off in a single game Tuesday, Aprill 22, at 3 p.m., and Youngstown State entertains the Golden Grizzlies in a three-game series, April 25-26. Friday's single game is set for 3 p.m. while first pitch for Saturday's twin bill is slated for 1 p.m.
Up Next
Youngstown State closes out regular season with a three-game series at Northern Kentucky, May 2-3, in Highland Heights, Ky.
About Kent State
Kent State enters the week with an overall record of 9-34 and has not won a game on the road (0-15). Leading the Golden Flashes is Kendal Leitner with a .368 batting average and has four home runs. Delaney Nagy and Ella Johnson each have three wins to lead the pitching staff.
About Oakland
Oakland owns an overall record of 15-24 and a 6-12 Horizon League mark. Kamryn Troyer leads the Golden Grizzlies with a .342 batting average and 20 runs batted in. Kenna Bommarito and Alyssa Balcom each have six victories to lead the pitching staff.
Campbell Notches 400th YSU Win, Nearing Career 700
Head Coach Brian Campbell is in his 17th season at Youngstown State and his 25th as a college head coach. Campbell owns a career record of 686-564-2 and a 401-435-1 mark at Youngstown State. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Campbell needs 14 more wins to reach 700 for his career. He became the first coach in program history to win 400 games.
Wilkerson Among League Leaders
Sophomore Lydia Wilkerson is having one of the best all-around seasons in the Horizon League. She leads the league with 58 hits, ranks third with a .387 batting average, sixth with 73 total bases, and 10th with a .429 on-base percentage, and 26 runs batted in. Wilkerson has also been impressive in league action with a .390 batting average, three doubles, a home run and 11 RBIs.
Ray of Sunshine
Freshman Ayla Ray has been impressive during her rookie campaign. Ray boasts a .329 batting average with 22 runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and 21 runs batted in. Against league foes, Ray is batting .333 with a pair of doubles and home runs, and eight runs batted in.
Littler Still Lit
Sophomore Macy Littler continued staying hot from year one to year two. Littler pushed her overall batting average up to .329 and has scored 26 runs, which ranks ninth in the league. Littler is also batting .339 in Horizon League play.
Behlke Named Pitcher of the Week
Youngstown State sophomore Autumn Behlke has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on March 3. This is the first weekly award of Behlke's career. Behlke went 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA last week while striking out 11 batters. she fired a complete game four-hitter with seven strikeouts in a win over St. Bonaventure on Feb. 28. She also picked up the win against Southern Indiana on March 2.
Imler Looking to Continue High-Level Play
Fifth-year senior Elyssa Imler was named the 2024 Horizon League Player of the Year, All-Horizon League First-Team, and led the Penguins with a .340 batting average with 36 runs scored, 51 hits, 21 RBIs, 10 doubles and a home run. She stole 14 bases. Imler also hit .444 with 16 runs, 32 hits five doubles, a home run, and 15 RBIs against Horizon League foes.
Wilkerson Posted Solid Frosh Campaign
Sophomore Lydia Wilkerson was named All-Horizon League Second Team and All-Freshman Team last season. She batted .331 with 19 runs, nine doubles, two home runs and 17 runs batted. Wilkerson also slugged .422 with an on-base percentage of .389. She led the team with 55 hits and recorded 14 multi-hit games…Wilkerson batted. 377 against Horizon League opponents with four doubles and two homers.
What Returns
The Penguins return15 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad that tied the school record for wins with an overall record of 36-17. The Penguins also won their second regular-season championship with a Horizon League record of 15-5 in 2024.
Penguins Welcome Several Newcomers
Along with 15 returning letterwinners, the Penguins welcome six new players to the 2025 squad. Joining the Penguins this season are Alivia Boothe, Autumn Boyd, Kami Diaz, Bella Meyer, Kelsey Ogin, and Ayla Ray.
