Kent State Bests Robert Morris, Falls to Winthrop on Day One of the Garnet & Gold Tournament

Friday, February 13

Rock Hill, S.C.

10:00 AM

Kent State University

Robert Morris

Kent St.

Photo by: Kobi Everett

Kent State Bests Robert Morris, Falls to Winthrop on Day One of the Garnet & Gold Tournament

2/13/2026 7:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Kent State Softball (3-4) split a pair of games on Friday at Winthrop University's Garnet & Gold Tournament. The Golden Flashes defeated Robert Morris 6-3 in the morning opener, before falling to the hosting Eagles 4-2 at Terry Field. Aarlyn Nogay, Gabby Quinn, Caleigh Shaulis, Ashlyn Porter, and Tayler Likens all tallied RBIs for KSU with Nogay and Likens homering.

Game 1: Kent State 6, Robert Morris 3

The Golden Flashes exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third inning to secure the victory over the Colonials in the tournament opener.

Following a Brooke Aberle drew a leadoff walk, Aaralyn Nogay launched a two-run home run to right field to give the Golden Flashes a 2-0 lead. Ashlyn Porter followed with a single to center field and Megan Claerhout drew a walk to put two runners on base. After the runners advanced, Gabby Quinn delivered a two-run single to shallow left field to extend the advantage to 4-0. Caleigh Shaulis capped the rally with a two-run home run to left field, scoring Quinn from first base to make it 6-0.

Robert Morris cut into the deficit in the fourth inning with a two-run home run to left field. The Colonials added an unearned run in the sixth on an RBI fielding error.

Riley Miller earned the complete-game victory in the circle, working 6.2 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out three. Nogay led the Golden Flashes offensively with a 2-for-3 performance including her home run and two RBI. Quinn finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Shaulis added a home run and two RBI. Porter went 1-for-3, Tayler Likens was 1-for-2 with a walk, and Leilani Johnson delivered a pinch-hit single down the left field line in the sixth inning.

Game 2: Winthrop 4, Kent State 2

Winthrop jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a single and a two-run blast from Peyton Bryden to give the Eagles an early advantage.

WU extended their lead to 4-0 in the second inning. The Eagles hit a single down the left field line and stole second base before scoring on a passed ball. Grayson Buckner drove in an unearned run with a single to short, scoring Bryden from third base after she had advanced on a Kent State error.

Kent State finally broke through in the sixth inning when Brynn Libler doubled to right center and Porter followed with an RBI double to left center make it 4-1. The Golden Flashes added one more run in the seventh when Likens homered to left center.

At the plate, Porter led Kent State with a 1-for-3 performance including a double and an RBI. Libler finished 1-for-3 with a double, Likens went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI, and Megan Claerhout added a double.

On Deck for the Flashes

Day two of the Garnet & Gold Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 14 will see Kent State will play Le Moyne College at 10:00 a.m., and Winthrop again at 3:00 p.m.

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Follow Kent State Athletics

For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram , and Facebook for news and updates.