Softball Takes MAC Opener, Beats Ball State 5-0

Friday, March 22

Muncie, Ind.

12:00 p.m.

Kent State University

15-8, 1-0

Ball State

15-15, 2-2

Kent State

Ball State

Softball Takes MAC Opener, Beats Ball State 5-0

3/22/2024 3:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – Kent State softball opened Mid-American Conference play with a 5-0 win over Ball State on Friday. Six different Golden Flashes tallied hits as Macy Irelan earned her sixth win of the season.

Irelan (6-4) earned the complete game victory, her third in her last four appearances. The reigning MAC Pitcher of the Week struck out seven Cardinals and allowed just five hits, lowering her season ERA to 1.99.

After being held scoreless in the first three innings, the Golden Flashes (15-8, 1-0 MAC) came to life offensively in the fourth. Sophomore Bri Despines started the inning with a double to center field and scored on a single by Julia Mazanec. After moving up to second on an error, the graduate student came around to score off of single up the middle by Brynn Libler.

An inning later, Alexandria Whitmore extended the Flashes' lead. The graduate student led off the inning with a single to left field, then stole her team-leading tenth base of the season to reach second. After advancing to third on a groundout, Whitmore scored on a passed ball.

The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the sixth, getting runners on second and third with no outs after a double down the line in left. Irelan pitched a ground ball that kept the runners from scoring before Whitmore showed off the leather, catching a hot shot down the line and tagging the leaning runner for an unassisted, inning-ending double play.

The Flashes extended their lead in the top of the seventh on a two-RBI double by Savannah Wing, driving in Whitmore and Delaney Robeson. Wing leads the squad with 23 RBIs this year. Irelan retired the side in the bottom of the frame to secure the first conference win under head coach Jessica O'Donnell.

Despines had a day behind the plate, throwing out two Cardinals trying to steal. She ended the first inning by gunning a runner at second, then fanned a runner trying for third with a spectacular off-the-backstop play for the second out in the sixth. The sophomore has now thrown out five runners this season.

Kent State wraps up the series with Ball State with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.