Kent State University
21-18, 7-10
Bowling Green
5-28, 2-15
Nuechterlein Earns Pair of Victories vs. Falcons
4/20/2024 7:11:00 PM | Softball
KENT, Ohio – Freshman Megan Nuechterlein tossed 13 innings and earned a pair of wins on Saturday afternoon as Kent State defeated visiting Bowling Green, 7-4 and 4-1, in a doubleheader at Devine Diamond
Nuechterlein (15-8) totaled 10 strikeouts and allowed the Falcons to score just two earned runs.
The Golden Flashes (22-18, 8-10 MAC) posted a .413 team batting average as five players recorded three hits each on the day. Junior Delaney Robeson led the way by going 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
Game 1: Kent State 7, Bowling Green 4
After stranding a pair of runners in the bottom of the first, Kent State got a two-out single from Bri Despines to score in the bottom of the second. Despines was then tagged after baiting the defense into a rundown and allowing Delaney Robeson to scurry home for a 2-0 lead.
Bowling Green was aided by an error and tied it 2-2 in the top of the third.
The Golden Flashes went back ahead in the bottom of the third, which started with Alexandria Whitmore getting hit by a pitch. After stealing second, Whitmore moved to third on a single by Julia Mazanec. A single by Emily Lippe and Falcons error loaded the bases, but the visitors were able to turn two and escape without further damage.
Bowling Green matched the run in the top of the fourth for a 3-3 tie.
Kent State added two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brynn Libler started the frame with a single, advanced to second on a sac bunt and scored on a double by Despines. Mazanec drove Despines home with a two-out single later on.
The Falcons got one run back in the top of the fifth before aggressive base running led to a double play that ended the inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Robeson hit a two-run homer to make it 7-4.
Megan Nuechterlein then retired all three batters in the top of the sixth and first two in the top of the seventh before Bowling Green stayed alive with a double. Nuechterlein then induced a line drive out to shortstop for the final out. She finished with five strikeouts.
Game 2: Kent State 4, Bowling Green 1
The bottom of the lineup delivered in the bottom of the second inning to put Kent State ahead 1-0, as Megan Claerhout, Brynn Libler and Delaney Robeson put together three hits in a row.
After Bowling Green tied it in the top of the third, the Golden Flashes reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third. A walk, single by Emily Lippe and error loaded the bases. Claerhout then brought home the go-ahead run with a sac fly to right field.
Kent State added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Lippe and Carley Penner got it started with singles, and the Flashes had two in scoring position after a sac bunt by Claerhout. Libler and Robeson followed with RBI singles.
Megan Nuechterlein allowed one run and had five strikeouts over six total innings. Nuechterlein was replaced in the circle by Ella Esterby in the sixth before returning for the seventh. Esterby pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will go for the sweep of the Falcons on Sunday. First pitch at Devine Diamond is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nuechterlein, Megan (14-8)
L: KRAFCIK, Mackenzie (2-6)
Batting:
2B: DOLEJS, Peyton 1
RBI: NOGAY, Aaralyn 1 ; ANDERSON, Scarlet 3
SH: COLE, Kaylee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DOLEJS, Peyton 2 ; BEHRENDT, Taylor 1 ; FRY, Mackenna 1
SB: STEFFES, Peyton 1
Batting:
2B: Despines, Bri 1
HR: Robeson, Delaney 1
RBI: Despines, Bri 2 ; Mazanec, Julia 2 ; Robeson, Delaney 2
SH: Claerhout, Megan 1 ; Robeson, Delaney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Despines, Bri 1 ; Whitmore, Alexandria 1 ; Penner, Carley 1 ; Bromley, Kenzie 1 ; Libler, Brynn 1 ; Robeson, Delaney 2
SB: Whitmore, Alexandria 1 ; Penner, Carley 1 ; Robeson, Delaney 1
CS: Despines, Bri 1
HBP: Whitmore, Alexandria 2 ; Wing, Savannah 2
