Kent State’s softball team is relatively young, consisting of thirteen underclassmen, with five position players appearing in 30 or more games and three pitchers appearing in 20 or more games.
The Flashes (24-18, 10-9 MAC) have had their ups and downs this season, but certain individuals continuously get their name out there.
Kenzie Bromley and Megan Nuechterlein, both freshmen, are those two players.
“I believe their success comes from gaining experience and confidence with every rep in defense and every game,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I believe they are prepared both mentally and physically to play at this level, and they want to help the team however they can.”
Infielder Kenzie Bromley
Currently, Bromley has recorded one double, one home run, two runs scored, three bases stolen and three assists.
O’Donnell said she is impressed with Bromley’s versatility.
“Kenzie’s ability to be a versatile player and step up wherever we need her to play,” O’Donnell said. “She’s a gamer and a great teammate.”
Bromley’s confidence started to grow during the summer season.
“I played high-level travel ball over the summer — Megan Nuechterlein and I were actually teammates,” she said. “Some of the teams we played against had division one pitchers. I feel that playing against teams stacked with Power 5 talent helped lead to my success this year.”
Sophomore pitcher Macy Irelan, who has recorded a team-high 102 strikeouts this season, has been a big mentor for Bromley.
Irelan has been a help to the freshmen on and off the field.
“The first time I stepped on campus, Macy was there to help me get settled in my dorm and she showed us freshmen around campus,” Bromley said. “This whole year, she has been there for the freshmen class to help us in any way we needed.”
Bromley has had a very successful season, even with the presented challenges and struggles.
“Some of the struggles that I faced this year were trying to balance school and softball, as well as getting to know all my teammates, coaches and their personalities,” she said. “Both of those just took some time to overcome.”
Her biggest change from high school was the pitches.
“The biggest difference from my high school season to my college season is probably the different pitches I see,” Bromley said. “In high school, mainly everything is a fastball or once in a while a change up and in college, you’ll see a curveball, or a screwball, a drop ball and a rise ball.”
Pitcher Megan Nuechterlein
After going 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA, Nuechterlein earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Week on April 23.
She tailed 21 strikeouts and held opposing batters to a .211 battering average.
So far, during her freshman year, Nuechterlein has a high of six strikeouts in a singular game and has recorded 87 on the season.
O’Donnell is impressed with Nuechterlein’s desire to be the player on the mound.
“Megan has impressed me with wanting the ball on that mound and wanting to make an impact,” she said. “I just love her fight and tenacity right now.”
Nuechterlein said her teammates and coaches back up her success.
“It’s encouraging that my coaches and teammates have confidence in me in the circle,” she said. “It’s important for me to stay focused and hit my spots. Also, knowing I have a strong defense and offense behind me.”
Like Bromley, Nuechterlein also said Irelan has been her biggest mentor.
“She has done so much for me and has helped me in so many different ways and never hesitates to do so,” Nuechterlein said.
Nuechterlein has had to adjust to college ball.
“Everything being new and having to adjust, especially to being on my own for the first time,” she said. It’s been important to manage my time wisely between softball and academics. The thing that helped me through everything is knowing that I have such amazing teammates by my side through it all.”
Nuechterlein has also had to adjust to college batters.
“The biggest difference with high school softball versus college is the batters that I’m facing,” she said. “They make adjustments more readily, making it more difficult to strike them out. That being said, in college, if I miss my spot, it’s guaranteed to be a hard hit and hitters are so smart and can see the ball so well that they know when it missed by just an inch.”
Robyn Taylor is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
