Kent State University
8-8
North Carolina Central
4-16
Nuechterlein Records Pair of Victories to Lead Flashes on Saturday
3/9/2024 8:49:00 PM | Softball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Kent State went 2-0 at the Catamount Classic on Saturday, defeating North Carolina Central in the opener, 8-1, and then taking down host Western Carolina, 5-2. Â
Freshman Megan Nuechterlein was the winning pitcher in both games and tossed her first collegiate complete game. Nuechterlein totaled eight strikeouts and allowed only six hits over 10 innings.
The Golden Flashes (9-8) were led at the plate by Savannah Wing. The junior totaled five RBIs and had two hits in each game. Sophomore Carley Penner added three hits and three runs scored.
Game 1: Kent State 8, North Carolina Central 2
After allowing one run in the bottom of the first, Megan Nuechterlein set down the Eagles in order in each of the next four innings.
Kent State's lineup broke through in the top of the sixth and scored five runs. The first two batters were hit by pitches and moved into scoring position on a sac bunt. A dropped fly ball allowed the tying run to come home and Bri Despines followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Savannah Wing then roped a triple down the right field line to bring in all three. Wing came home on a groundout by Emily Lippe.
Delaney Robeson launched a two-run homer for the second straight day in the top of the seventh to extend the lead to 7-1. Alexandria Whitmore scored the Golden Flashes' final run after being hit by a pitch, stealing second and advancing on two wild pitches.
The Eagles scored a second run in the bottom of the seventh on a double and two fly ball outs.
Nuechterlein (6-3) recorded five strikeouts in her first collegiate a complete game.
Game 2: Kent State 5, Western Carolina 2
Kent State scored the first run of the game in the top of the third. Carley Penner and Delaney Robeson started the frame with singles and moved into scoring position on a sac bunt. Penner then crossed home plate after tagging on a sac fly by Bri Despines.
Western Carolina tied it in the bottom of the third, but the Golden Flashes went back ahead in the top of the fourth on a RBI single by Ellie Facher.
An error allowed the Catamounts to tie it at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
The Golden Flashes went ahead for good with timely hits in the top of the sixth. With two outs and a runner on first, Alexandria Whitmore extended the frame with a single up the middle. Despines drew a walk to load the bases and Savannah Wing followed with a single to center field, scoring a pair.
Emily Lippe got the top of the seventh started with her fourth home run of the season to make it 5-2.
Megan Nuechterlein (7-3) retired all three batters in the bottom of the seventh to end it. Nuechterlein totaled three strikeouts and allowed one unearned run in three relief innings. Macy Irelan started the game and had four strikeouts over four innings.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will play host Western Carolina once again on Sunday at 10 a.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nuechterlein, Megan (6-3)
L: TOMPKINS,Xenna (1-1)
Batting:
3B: Wing, Savannah 1 ; Mazanec, Julia 1
HR: Robeson, Delaney 1
RBI: Whitmore, Alexandria 1 ; Wing, Savannah 3 ; Lippe, Emily 1 ; Robeson, Delaney 2
SH: Robeson, Delaney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Whitmore, Alexandria 2 ; Despines, Bri 1 ; Wing, Savannah 1 ; Bromley, Kenzie 1 ; Penner, Carley 2 ; Robeson, Delaney 1
SB: Whitmore, Alexandria 1
HBP: Whitmore, Alexandria 1 ; Claerhout, Megan 1 ; Penner, Carley 1
Batting:
2B: BATISTA,Hailey 1
RBI: NICHOLS,Takia 1 ; HAMBY,Jaidyn 1
SF: HAMBY,Jaidyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DAVIS,Jaden 1 ; BATISTA,Hailey 1
HBP: BARR,Jaylah 1 ; BATISTA,Hailey 1
