Golden Flashes Sweep Saturday Slate at Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament

Saturday, February 14

Rock Hill, S.C.

10:00 AM

Kent State University

4-4

Le Moyne

1-6

Kent St.

Le Moyne

Photo by: Kobi Everett

Golden Flashes Sweep Saturday Slate at Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament

2/15/2026 7:45:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Kent State Softball (5-4) swept a pair of games on Saturday at the Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament, defeating Le Moyne 6-5 in the morning opener before knocking off host Winthrop 9-5 in the nightcap at Terry Field.

Game 1: Kent State 6, Le Moyne 5

Kent State fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning before the offense came alive in the third. Aaralyn Nogay led off with a bunt single and promptly stole second base. Brynn Libler followed with a bunt single that advanced to second on a fielding error allowing Nogay to score an unearned run to cut the deficit to 2-1. After Ashlyn Porter popped up, Megan Claerhout drew a walk to put two runners on base. Libler and Claerhout each advanced on a wild pitch before Gabby Quinn delivered an RBI single to left center, putting the Golden Flashes ahead 2-2 while advancing to second on the throw.

Quinn moved to third on another wild pitch, setting the stage for Caleigh Shaulis who launched a two-run home run to center field to extend the lead to 4-2. Tayler Likens kept the rally going with a single to second base, and Ciara Camacho drove her in with an RBI triple down the right field line to make it 5-2. The Golden Flashes pushed their advantage to 6-4 in the fourth inning when Libler scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a walk.

Le Moyne battled back with two runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to pull within 6-5 but the Kent State pitching staff shut the door the rest of the way.

Alena Hillyard picked up the win in relief working 2.1 innings and striking out two. Riley Miller recorded three innings of relief allowing just one hit while striking out two. Offensively, Camacho led the Golden Flashes with a 2-for-3 performance including a triple and an RBI, while also drawing a walk. Quinn went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base, Shaulis finished 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI and Likens was 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen bag. Nogay added a 1-for-5 effort with a stolen base, while Libler reached base twice with a hit and a walk. Brooke Aberle contributed a 1-for-2 performance as a pinch hitter.

Game 2: Kent State 9, Winthrop 5

Kent State jumped out to an early leadt in their final game of the weekend as Nogay drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. After Libler struck out, Porter reached on an error, moving Nogay to third. Quinn plated the game's first run with a groundout to third base that scored Nogay.

The Golden Flashes extended their advantage to 4-0 in the third frame. Libler singled to right field and Porter followed with a single to the pitcher. Quinn's sac fly to center scored Libler to make it 2-0. Shaulis kept the rally going with an RBI single through the right side that scored Porter and advanced to second on the throw. Leilani Johnson added a single to third base, and Likens capped the inning with an RBI single up the middle to plate Shaulis.

Winthrop fought back with three runs in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Kent State answered in the fifth when Shaulis launched a solo home run to left field to push the lead back to two runs at 5-3.

The Golden Flashes broke the game open in the sixth inning with four runs. Nogay led off with a single to right center and stole second base. Libler executed a sacrifice bunt to move Nogay to third, and Porter was hit by a pitch. After Quinn grounded out, Shaulis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Johnson cleared them with a three-run home run to left center field extending the lead to 9-4.

Riley Miller earned the win, working four innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while inducing nine ground ball outs. At the plate, Johnson paced the offense with a 2-for-4 performance including a home run and four RBI. Shaulis went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, Likens finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Nogay was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk, two stolen bases, and a sacrifice bunt. Libler added a 1-for-2 effort with a walk and a sacrifice bunt, while Porter went 1-for-3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. Aberle contributed a 1-for-3 performance with a walk.

On Deck for the Flashes

Kent State will be back in action in the UNC Greensboro Invitational over the weekend of Feb. 20-22. The Golden Flashes will take on Bucknell University, Canisius College, hosting University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Follow Kent State Softball

For complete coverage of Kent State Softball, 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.

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.