Kent State University’s softball team welcomes Cleveland State Univeristy to the Diamond at Dix for a Tuesday doubleheader, which will be Kent State’s home and non-conference finale.

The Flashes are coming off an emotional sweep against Buffalo during which the team paid tribute to the departing seniors.

The Flashes won four of their last five entering Tuesday, while the Vikings have seen three of their last five games canceled.

“To be honest, I haven’t had much of a chance to look at Cleveland State because I’ve been so focused on what we’re doing in the [Mid-American Conference],” head coach Karen Linder said. “It’s always a good contest, and I think they’re doing fairly decently in the Horizon League. They have a lot of Ohio kids and we have Ohio kids, so it’s usually a pretty good battle.”

In her 14 innings of work against the Bulls, pitcher Emma Johnson lowered her ERA to 1.67. She and the rest of the Flashes will be going up against a formidable Vikings pitching staff, which has a combined ERA of 2.88.

Kent State’s offense has come alive recently, having scored at least four runs in three of its last four games.

The Flashes may be without starting shortstop Lauren Kesterson, who suffered an injury in the second game against Buffalo. While fielding a pop-up, she collided with third baseman Michele Duffy. She stayed on the field for the remainder of the inning, but was pulled before her next at bat.

When asked about her shortstop’s condition, Linder said she wasn’t sure how long she would be kept out, if at all. She also said it would be up to the trainers and likely a game-time decision.

The first game begins at 3 p.m., with the second game starting soon after the conclusion of the first.

Johnson said she planned to go home with wins, following Tuesday’s doubleheader.

“We’re going to go after them,” Johnson said.

Contact Christian Petrila at [email protected].