Late Rally Falls Short in Series Finale

Saturday, March 15

Kent, Ohio

12:30 p.m.

Kent State University

7-19, 0-3

Miami

12-14, 3-0

Miami (OH)

Kent State

Photo by: Reilly Hall

3/15/2025 6:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Kent State had the go-ahead run on base in the bottom of the sixth after trailing by eight before falling to Miami, 14-9, as the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play concluded on Saturday at Devine Diamond.

After the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Golden Flashes (7-19, 0-3 MAC) answered in the bottom half of the inning and tied it 1-1 on a sac fly by sophomore Megan Claerhout.

The RedHawks plated five in the second and three in the third to go ahead 9-1.

Kent State began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the third, as junior Carley Penner brought in a pair with a double to left field.

Junior Kam Utendorf got the bottom of the fourth started by drawing a walk and moved to third base on a double by sophomore Leilani Johnson. Utendorf then scored on a sac fly by senior Delaney Robeson and Johnson crossed the plate on a fielder's choice by senior Savannah Wing to get within 9-5.

Miami added a run in the top of the sixth.

The Flashes' first three batters in the bottom of the sixth reached safely, and Robeson scored on a single to center by Claerhout. After the second out of the frame was recorded, sophomore Aaralyn Nogay doubled to the gap in left-center to clear the bases and get within 10-9. Utendorf then walked on a four pitches, but Kent State was unable to extend the rally.

Miami answered by scoring four runs of its own in the top of the seventh.

Eight different Flashes recorded a hit, with Libler and Nogay having two each. Libler also drew three walks and reached base in all five trips to the plate.

Kent State will resume MAC play next weekend with a three-game series at Bowling Green.

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