
Kent State Rallies Late to Beat Merrimack, Falls to #1 Texas Sunday in Columbus
3/9/2025 8:35:00 PM | Softball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kent State scored eight in the top of the seventh for a 10-8 comeback victory over Merrimack before losing to No. 1 Texas, 15-1, as action wrapped Sunday at the Ohio State Tournament.
The Golden Flashes (7-16) were led at the plate with three hits each by junior Brynn Libler, sophomore Aaralyn Nogay and senior Delaney Robeson.
Game 1: Kent State 10, Merrimack 8
The Golden Flashes scored in the top of the first, as Carley Penner started the frame with a single and stole second before moving to third on a groundout. A wild pitch allowed Penner to come home.
Merrimack scored five straight to lead 5-1 after five innings.
Ellie Facher's pinch hit single to right field in the sixth scored Aaralyn Nogay to cut the deficit to three.
Down to the final out, a triple by Savannah Wing scored Brynn Libler to start the late rally. A wild pitch brought Wing home and Kam Utendorf added a RBI single to tie it at 5-5.
Maddy Miklesh and Penner then drew walks to bring in the go-ahead run. An error allowed another run to score before Delaney Robeson doubled to center to bring in the final three runs.
The Warriors attempted a two-out rally of their own but only managed three runs.
Ella Johnson (3-4) recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts while tossing the final four innings.
Game 2: #1 Texas 15, Kent State 1 (5 innings)
The Longhorns homered three times and totaled nine extra-base hits to take a 15-0 lead.
The Golden Flashes got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Aaralyn Nogay singled to right field before moving to second on a passed ball and scoring on a single by Kendal Leitner.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State will begin Mid-American Conference play at Devine Diamond against Miami on March 14-15.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kavan, Teagan (8-1)
L: Johnson, Ella (3-3)
Batting:
2B: Scott, Mia 1 ; Atwood, Reese 1 ; Goode, Leighann 1 ; Bennett, Kaydee 1
3B: Maloney, Ashton 1 ; Atwood, Reese 1
HR: Mitchell, Joley 1 ; Atwood, Reese 1 ; Cimusz, Katie 1
RBI: Maloney, Ashton 2 ; Scott, Mia 2 ; Mitchell, Joley 3 ; Atwood, Reese 3 ; Stewart, Katie 1 ; Goode, Leighann 1 ; Cimusz, Katie 2
SF: Stewart, Katie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Maloney, Ashton 3 ; Scott, Mia 1 ; Wallace, Adayah 1 ; Mitchell, Joley 2 ; Atwood, Reese 2 ; Stewart, Katie 1 ; Goode, Leighann 1 ; Cimusz, Katie 1 ; Brister, Shylien 1 ; Bennett, Kaydee 2
SB: Maloney, Ashton 1 ; Goode, Leighann 1 ; Bennett, Kaydee 2

Batting:
RBI: Leitner, Kendal 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Nogay, Aaralyn 1