Kent State Drops a Pair in Senior Weekend Series Opener

Saturday, May 2

Kent, Ohio

1:00 PM

Kent State University

19-29, 7-18

Western Michigan

25-23, 14-11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Mich.	0	4	0	1	1	0	6	12	15	2
Kent St.	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	4	5	2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Mich.	3	2	1	0	0	0	5	11	9	0
Kent St.	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2

Kent State softball Senior Day celebration on the field at Devine Diamond. Three seniors are honored alongside their families. From left, the family of the late Cara Neumann holds a framed light blue number 17 jersey and bouquet of flowers in her memory. In the center, senior Kasey Markusic stands with her family, holding a framed gold number 26 jersey and bouquet of flowers. On the right, senior Brynn Libler stands with her family, holding a framed gold number 3 jersey and bouquet of flowers. A fluffy gray and white dog stands in the center of the group. The dugout and stadium seating with fans are visible in the background. The Ohio Flash, Kent State Golden Flashes, and Under Armour logos appear in the bottom right corner."

Photo by: Reilly Hall

Kent State Drops a Pair in Senior Weekend Series Opener

5/2/2026 7:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KENT – The Kent State Softball team fell in a pair of decisions on Saturday afternoon vs. Western Michigan University at Devine Diamond. The Golden Flashes dropped game one to the Broncos 12-4 prior to game two that ended 11-1. Despite the outcomes, Kent State celebrated the contributions of seniors Brynn Libler and Kasey Markusic during pregame, as well as the late Cara Neumann, who provided inspiration for the past decade and would have graduated in 2026 as a Golden Flash.

Game 1: Kent State 4, Western Michigan 12

Kent State took the lead in the bottom of the first when Ashlyn Porter drew a walk and scored on a wild pitch after Gabby Quinn walked in a run to give the Flashes a 1-0 advantage.

The Flashes answered Western Michigan's four-run second with a run of their own in the bottom half. Alex Trevena singled and advanced to third on a center field error before scoring on a wild pitch while Porter walked to keep the inning alive.

In the third, Gabby Quinn drew a walk and advanced on a Leilani Johnson hit by pitch before Alex Trevena delivered an RBI walk to score Quinn and pull Kent State within 4-3. Caleigh Shaulis launched a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth to make it a one-run game yet again (5-4).

Western Michigan's six-run seventh frame put the game out of reach.

Shaulis' home run was the offensive centerpiece for the Flashes. Porter drew two walks and scored twice, while Trevena contributed a hit and an RBI. Brooke Aberle also had a hit in the loss.

Game 2: Kent State 1, Western Michigan 11

Western Michigan took early control in game two plating three runs in the first and adding five more in the seventh.

Kent State's lone run came immediately as Ashlyn Porter homered to right field in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Porter's leadoff home run was the bright spot for the Golden Flashes. Aberle reached base three times across the game, providing one of the consistent offensive contributors on the afternoon.

On Deck for the Flashes

Kent State's series vs. Western Michigan concludes on Sunday, May 2 at 12:00 p.m.

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