The Kent State softball team traveled to Conway, S.C. over the weekend to play in the Battle at the Beach.

The team went 1-3, and the last game was canceled due to rain. 

KSU started the weekend with a 6-3 loss against Marist.

“I thought our fight was there,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I believe we’re motivated. I think it’s hard when you lose such close games like we did with Marist and Coastal.”

Junior utility player Brynn Libler had a double in the first game, and played well at third base. 

“I was impressed with Brynn Libler at third base defensively, and her tenacity at the plate,” O’Donnell said. 

The Flashes earned their only victory of the weekend after beating Towson 9-6 on Friday.

“Offensively, I think we’re doing a good job getting runners on, but we have to move them, and we have to score them,” O’Donnell said. 

KSU scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, which won them the game.

Senior utility player Katie Jo Moery led the team with three hits and three RBIs on the day.

“I’m pleased with our senior leadership right now,” O’Donnell said.

Another senior that is helping lead the team is senior utility Savannah Wing. This is Wing’s fourth year with the Flashes. 

“Savannah Wing did really well this weekend with her determination, and you could see it in her eyes when it was time for her to go and hit,” O’Donnell said. 

Wing led the team last season with 18 doubles and 38 RBIs. 

On Saturday, KSU lost 5-0 to Notre Dame in the first game of the day.

“I thought we were in every game except for the Notre Dame game,” O’Donnell said. “Offensively, we found ways to get runners on, but we just couldn’t score them in that game.”

The Fighting Irish scored a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning. They added one run in the third, fourth and sixth innings. 

“I think with our pitching, we still need to find our identity there and really attack batters and stop overthinking the pitches,” O’Donnell said. “I think if we can do that, we’ll be much better off.”

After that loss, KSU lost again to Coastal Carolina 9-4.

“Coastal Carolina was probably the strongest team there all-around offensively, defensively and pitching,” O’Donnell said. “So I was impressed with our team jumping out to an early four (point lead). Obviously, we can’t sit on that, but I was impressed with just our offensive fight.”

Moery scored her first home run as a Flash in the game.

Up Next 

The Flashes will travel to Tampa, Fla. over the weekend to compete in the South Florida Showdown. Games will go from Friday through Sunday.

Their first game will be against the University of Louisville. Directly after, the Flashes will play the University of Michigan for a Friday double-header. On Saturday, KSU will play Wisconsin and then South Florida. 

Troy will round out the competition, with the Flashes taking on the Trojans on Sunday. 

KSU is 3-6 overall so far this season after two events away from home. 

“Obviously, it’s not the record that we want, but all of this is to prepare us for the conference, so I feel confident that our schedule is challenging enough to prepare us for what’s ahead down the road,” O’Donnell said. 

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].