Golden Flashes Edged by Ball State in Series Opener

Friday, April 24

Muncie, Ind.

2:00 PM

Kent State University

19-26, 19-26

Ball State

18-25, 5-17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kent State	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	7	0
Ball State	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	4	10	0

"The Kent State softball team huddles together on the outfield turf during a game. Players and coaches are dressed in a mix of light blue and navy Kent State uniforms. Coaches address the group during what appears to be a timeout or pregame meeting. A light blue fielding glove rests on the ground to the left. The outfield wall with championship year markings is visible in the background, along with a video scoreboard. The Ohio Flash, Kent State Golden Flashes, and Under Armour logos appear in the bottom right corner."

Photo by: Kellan Godfrey

Golden Flashes Edged by Ball State in Series Opener

4/24/2026 6:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Kent State Softball dropped a 4-3 decision to Ball State in extra innings on Friday afternoon. The Golden Flashes fell via a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning following a one-hour and 37-minute lightning delay that halted play before the top of the seventh

The Blue and Gold jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Aaralyn Nogay laid down a bunt single and promptly stole second. After Caleigh Shaulis singled and stole second of her own, Ashlyn Porter came through with a two-RBI single through the right side to score both Nogay and Shaulis and giving KSU the early advantage.

The Cardinals answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the first to make it 2-1, then added another in the third to tie the game two all.

Kent State retook the lead in the fifth when Nogay drew a walk then moved to third on a Brynn Libler sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. She scored on a Shaulis sacrifice fly to right field to make it 3-2.

Ball State tied the game again in the fourth inning on an RBI single setting up a weather-interrupted finish. After the delay neither team scored in the seventh. Ball State walked off in the bottom half of the eighth on an RBI single to end it.

Nogay finished 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of runs scored. Porter's first-inning two-RBI single was the offensive highlight for the Flashes. Shaulis contributed a hit, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly. Riley Miller went 7.1 innings in the circle, allowing just three earned runs.

On Deck for the Flashes

The series continues Saturday, April 25 with a doubleheader scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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.