Ringler Blanks Huskies to Secure Series Victory

Saturday, April 16

DeKalb, Ill.

2:00 p.m.

Kent State University

13-20, 4-9

Northern Illinois

11-20, 4-12

Kent State

Northern Illinois

Ringler Blanks Huskies to Secure Series Victory

4/16/2022 7:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. – Freshman Kylie Ringler recorded her first shutout against a Mid-American Conference opponent in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Saturday to give Kent State the series victory over host Northern Illinois. The Golden Flashes allowed a four-run lead to slip away in the day's first game, falling 6-5 in walk-off fashion, and then came back to win the finale, 3-0.

In her first appearance since a tough outing at Ball State on April 2, Ringler was able to quiet the Huskies' bats after they had totaled six hits in the bottom of the seventh to steal a win just 35 minutes earlier and help Kent State (14-20, 5-9 MAC) capture its second MAC series in a row.

A trio of Flashes had multiple hits on the day, led by a 4-for-6 performance by senior Sabrina Kerschner. Sophomore Emily Lippe recorded a team-high four RBIs and finished with three hits, including a double and a home run. Sophomore Jessica LeBeau added two hits and drove in a pair.

Game 1: Northern Illinois 6, Kent State 5
The Golden Flashes took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth on doubles by Sabrina Kerschner, Brooklyn Whitt and Emily Lippe.

A leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning helped Northern Illinois cut its deficit in half.

Lippe extended it to 5-1 with a three-run homer to center in the top of the seventh.

After totaling only three hits over the first six innings, the Huskies recorded six in the bottom of the seventh and won on a pitch above the strike zone in a full count with the bases loaded.

Jessica LeBeau had nine strikeouts over 6.1 innings in the circle, allowing three earned runs.

Four of Kent State's eight hits went for extra bases. Kerschner and Lippe had two hits each.

Game 2: Kent State 3, Northern Illinois 0
Brooklyn Whitt reached safely to start the game after the NIU pitcher fielded a bunt and committed an error on her throw to first base. A single by Julia Mazanec and walk drawn by Chloe Cruz loaded the bases with just one out. The Huskies were able to get the second out on a force at the plate, but Jessica LeBeau followed with a single back through the circle to plate Mazanec.

That was all the offense Kylie Ringler (5-2) needed, as the freshman scattered four hits and did not allow a runner to advance past second base. She finished with three strikeouts.

Kent State scored a pair of insurance runs on four two-out hits in the sixth inning. Emily Lippe started the frame with a single through the left side but remained at second base after a sac bunt and lineout. LeBeau changed that with a double over the outstretched arm of the NIU centerfielder. In just her second appearance of the conference season, Brenna Brownfield brought LeBeau home with a long single that missed clearing the wall in left field by a few centimeters. Delaney Robeson and Sabrina Kerschner followed with singles to load the bases, but the Flashes were unable to add to the 3-0 lead.

Kerschner and LeBeau had a pair of hits each and Kent State totaled eight in the game.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play three of the final five MAC series at the Diamond at Dix, beginning against Ohio. The Golden Flashes and Bobcats are scheduled for a single game at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 and a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday, April 20.