Golden Flashes Drop MAC Games to Ohio

Tuesday, April 2

Kent, Ohio

12:35 p.m.

Kent State University

18-11, 4-3

Ohio

16-18, 4-6

Ohio

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

4/2/2024 7:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KENT, Ohio – Kent State lost to visiting Ohio, 7-1 and 4-2, in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at Devine Diamond on Tuesday.

The Golden Flashes (18-12, 4-4 MAC) scored in the first inning of both games but were only able to push one additional runner across the plate the rest of the day.

Graduate student Alexandria Whitmore led the offense with four hits, while freshman Kenzie Bromley and sophomore Carley Penner added two each.

Game 1: Ohio 7, Kent State 1
An error placed a runner in scoring position and Bri Despines put the Golden Flashes ahead with a single in the bottom of the first inning.

Kent State was unable to collect another hit until the bottom of the fifth, as Ohio went ahead 5-1. Carley Penner used her speed and a head-first slide to beat the throw and get the frame started with an infield single. Penner advanced to second on a sac bunt and Alexandria Whitmore followed a fly ball out with a single to place runners on the corners, but a popup on the next pitch ended the threat.

The Bobcats added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning.

Macy Irelan (7-5) recorded one strikeout over 2.2 innings and Megan Nuechterlein had two strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Game 2: Ohio 4, Kent State 2
Alexandria Whitmore sent the first pitch over the left fielder's head for a leadoff double in the bottom of the first inning. Whitmore then swiped third before scoring on a single by Brynn Libler for a 1-0 lead.

Megan Nuechterlein retired the first eight Bobcat batters she faced before allowing a double and triple that evened it at 1-1.

Ohio went ahead in the fourth, as an error provided an extra out and led to another triple.

Kenzie Bromley started the bottom of the fifth with a single on a full count pitch and moved to second on a sac bunt. Alexandria Whitmore followed with a single up the middle, and Bromley was awarded home due to obstruction on the Bobcats shortstop, tying it 2-2.

Another error to start the top of the sixth aided Ohio in going ahead 3-2. The Bobcats added a solo shot in the top of the seventh.

Kent State threatened to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh, which began with singles by Carley Penner and Bromley. Following an out on a close play at first base, Whitmore was hit by a pitch for the second time to load the bases. The next two batters were then retired to end the game.

Nuechterlein (11-5) tossed her third complete game of the season. She totaled two strikeouts and allowed two earned runs.

On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will travel to Toledo for a three-game series on April 6-7. The entire series will be streamed on ESPN+.

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