Golden Flashes Sweep Day One at UNCG Invitational

Friday, February 20

Greensboro, N.C.

11:00 AM

Kent State University

6-4

Bucknell

1-5

Kent State University

Bucknell

Golden Flashes Sweep Day One at UNCG Invitational

2/20/2026 8:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kent State Softball (7-4) swept a pair of games on Friday at the UNC Greensboro Invitational defeating Bucknell University11-3 in five innings before edging Canisius 7-6 in eight innings at UNCG Softball Stadium. It marks the second two-game sweep of their early non-conference schedule.

Game 1: Kent State 11, Bucknell 3 (5 innings)

The Golden Flashes exploded for 10 runs over the second through fourth innings to run-rule the Bison in five innings.

After a scoreless first inning, Kent State jumped on the board in the second. Caleigh Shaulis led off with a double and scored on an RBI double to right center by Leilani Johnson. Brooke Aberle followed with an RBI triple to right center, plating Johnson from second base to give the Golden Flashes a 2-0 advantage.

Bucknell answered with three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead. The Flashes responded immediately with a four-run third inning to regain control. Brynn Libler led off with a double to left field and Ashlyn Porter was hit by a pitch. Megan Claerhout advanced both runners with a bunt single to third base. Gabby Quinn drew a bases-loaded walk to score Libler and tie the game at 3-3. Shaulis reached on a fielding error that allowed Porter to score, putting the Golden Flashes ahead 4-3. Ciara Camacho extended the lead with a two-run double down the left field line bring home Quinn and Shaulis to make it 6-3.

The Golden Flashes broke the game open with five runs in the fourth inning. Aaralyn Nogay reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and promptly stole second base. After Libler struck out, Porter singled to short and both runners executed a double steal to put runners on second and third. Claerhout was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Quinn delivered a sacrifice fly to shallow center field to score Nogay. Shaulis followed with a two-run double to right field, scoring Porter and Claerhout to extend the lead to 10-3. Johnson kept the rally alive with an RBI single to left field that plated Shaulis, and Camacho capped the inning with an RBI double to left center to score Johnson and push the advantage to 11-3.

Riley Miller earned the win, working four innings and allowing just three runs on two hits while striking out four. Alena Hillyard pitched a scoreless fifth inning in relief. The bats boomed as Kent State matched their season high run total from the opening day of the season. Camacho led the Golden Flashes with a 2-for-3 performance including two doubles and three RBIs, while also recording a stolen base. Johnson went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, Shaulis finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Porter was 2-for-3. Aberle contributed a 1-for-3 effort with a triple and an RBI, Libler added a 1-for-4 performance with a double, and Nogay drew a walk while stealing two bases. Claerhout was 1-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch. Kent

Game 2: Kent State 7, Canisius 6 (8 innings)

The day's second contest saw the Golden Flashes rally from a 4-1 deficit winning in extra innings to complete the sweep.

Kent State took an early lead in the second inning when Shaulis reached on a fielding error advancing to second on a sac bunt by Quinn. Johnson followed with an RBI single to center field to score Shaulis.

Canisius responded with four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-1 lead. However the Blue and Gold cut into the deficit in the third as Porter doubled to left center and scored on an RBI single by Claerhout to make it 4-2.

Kent State tied the game with three runs in the fifth inning. Nogay led off with a single to center field and stole second before scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. After Libler advanced to third on the same play, Claerhout grounded into a double play that allowed Libler to score tying the game 4-4. Shaulis then launched a solo home run to right field to give the Golden Flashes a 5-4 lead.

Canisius regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead 6-5. Kent State answered in the sixth when Nogay drew a walk, stole second base, and scored on an RBI single to left field by Libler to tie the game back up at 6-6.

In the top of the eighth inning with Johnson delivering the game-winning RBI double to left field to score Miley Anderson and give Kent State a 7-6 advantage.

Ella Johnson earned the win in relief, working three scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out four. Miller pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits while striking out one. At the plate, Johnson paced the offense with a 2-for-4 performance including two doubles and two RBIs, while also recording a stolen base. Nogay went 2-for-4 with a walk and three stolen bases, Quinn finished 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt, and Shaulis was 1-for-4 with a home run. Porter added a 1-for-4 effort with a double and a stolen base, Libler went 1-for-5 with an RBI, and Claerhout was 1-for-4 with two RBI.

On Deck for the Flashes

Day two of the Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 21 will see Kent State will play Bucknell for the second time at 10:00 a.m., and hosting University of North Carolina Greensboro at 3:00 p.m.

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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.