Over the weekend, Kent State’s softball team lost two out of three games, taking on Mid-American Conference foe Toledo.
The Flashes (19-14, 5-6 MAC) ended up outscoring Toledo, 15-14, due to an amazing third game where they won 8-2.
“Our team right now is still trying to find our groove and find ways to win games,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “We have been pressing and tightening up to try to win, which has been causing us to make mistakes and not play loose and relaxed. Today’s message was to have fun and celebrate the little things.”
Game 1
In the bottom of the first inning, the Flashes were behind 3-0. They ended up tying the game 3-3 in the top of the second inning.
A walk and back-to-back hits from graduate student Julia Mazanec and sophomore Carley Penner were able to put Kent State on the board. Junior Delaney Robeson evened it with a double to score a pair.
The Flashes then took the lead in the top of the fourth when freshman Kenzie Bromley had a sacrifice fly that allowed junior Savannah Wing to score.
Toledo then took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four to put them 7-4.
With Kent State unable to score, Toledo added a final run with two doubles to score in the bottom of the sixth, making the final 8-4.
Game 2
Toledo started the game with a single run in the bottom of the first inning.
The game went quiet until the Flashes were able to score in the top of the fourth inning.
Mazanec started with a double. After advancing to third, Mazanec beat a throw to the plate on a grounder hit to second base. Freshman Megan Claerhout then entered as a pinch hitter and launched a two-run shot to left field to gain a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Toledo was able to gain three straight hits, putting them 4-3.
The rest of the game went silent, making the final 4-3.
Game 3
Mazanec helped Kent State score in the top of the second inning with a leadoff single before advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Senior Emily Lippe was walked, and sophomore Sydney Shammo took second to place two in scoring position.
A groundout by sophomore Brynn Libler allowed Mazanec to score the day’s first run.
With two outs, freshman Megan Claerhout was walked and then came to score, along with Shammo, on a double by junior Delaney Robeson, making it 3-0.
The game went quiet until the top of the sixth when the Flashes scored five more runs.
Three straight walks pushed two runs across the plate. Junior Savannah Wing ripped a two-run double and later scored to make it 8-0.
Toledo eventually scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Freshman Megan Nuechterlein was able to retire all three batters in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the win of 8-2.
Outstanding individual
Freshmen pitcher Megan Nuechterlein:
“She was key in our win against Toledo on Sunday,” O’Donnell said.
Nuechterlein retired three batters to secure the 8-2 over Toledo in the seventh inning.
Coming up
The team will host Western Michigan to play in their next Mid-American Conference game.
O’Donnell is eager for another win streak.
“We’d love to go on another win streak and continue to play loose and relaxed. Every game from here on out is going to be a challenge because everyone is trying to make it into the tournament, and only the top six teams go,” O’Donnell said. “If we play like we did today, I’m excited to see where we could go and what we could accomplish.”
Robyn Taylor is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
