The Kent State softball team traveled to Chapel Hill, N.C., over the weekend to compete in the Mizuno Showdown. 

KSU is 5-14 overall this season, and went 2-3 this weekend. 

“It was nice to get some wins after going through a little tough stretch there,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. 

After going 0-5 two weeks ago in the South Florida Showdown, the Flashes persevered and came ready to compete for the Mizuno Showdown. 

“I told our team that a lot of these teams that we have played have peaked very early in the season, and we’re not there yet, which is great,” O’Donnell said. “It just shows me that we’re continuing to get a little bit better every time we step on that field.”

KSU lost their first game of the tournament 9-6 to Harvard.

Senior utility player Delaney Robeson had a career-high of four hits and two home runs.

“Delaney Robeson has been unbelievable for us this year, and especially this past weekend,” O’Donnell said.

Robeson recently adapted to the position of shortstop this season, which is a position she hasn’t played since she was 14 years old, O’Donnell said. 

“She’s a true team player that will not lay down and quit on us,” she said. “I appreciate her and her drive.”

The Flashes won 8-7 in their first game on Saturday against Saint Joseph’s.

“I’ve been really impressed with our offense, and we have to keep that up,” O’Donnell said.

Robeson broke a new record with 100 career hits and had another home run against the Hawks. 

This weekend she hit .684 and had seven RBIs.

Sophomore catcher Leilani Johnson also had two hits in the game.

“I saw some great things from players that have been quiet early in the season that just came out, and it was fun to see,” O’Donnell said. “Especially Leilani Johnson behind the plate.”

Johnson hit a three-run home run in Sunday’s game against Harvard. Last season she appeared in one game and made one start. 

KSU lost 12-5 against North Carolina for its second game on Saturday.

“One thing we have to get better at is scoring runners and scoring position,” O’Donnell said. “We’ve had multiple opportunities in the games that we lost where we had runners, either bases loaded, or runners on second and third, and we just strike out or look at the third strike and don’t produce.”

The Tar Heels took an early 6-0 lead with four runs in the first and two in the third.

“Our defense has to continue to be sharp, and then obviously our pitching staff, they need to continue to get better as we go,” O’Donnell said. 

One player that has stepped up to pitch for KSU is junior outfielder Carley Penner.

“Carly Penner stepped up last week and said ‘I want to pitch’, and so we had two pitching sessions with her for 30 minutes each on Tuesday and Wednesday,” O’Donnell said. “Then she went out and pitched amazingly.”

Penner earned the full seven-inning win against Harvard on Sunday and pitched against Saint Joseph’s. 

“I have been super impressed with her drive and her vision of wanting to help the team however she can,” O’Donnell said. “She really helped us gain some confidence and some belief.”

KSU won 6-1 in its game against Harvard.

“I thought we hit outstanding,” O’Donnell said. “We had at least eight hits in every game.” 

The Flashes lost the last game of the weekend 15-6 against North Carolina, which was a short five-inning game. 

Up Next 

KSU will travel to Columbus over the weekend to compete in the Ohio State Tournament. 

The games will be from Saturday through Sunday, played against opponents Saint Francis, Merrimack, Oakland and Ohio State.  

“Building confidence will be our main focus this week in the few practices that we have before we leave,” O’Donnell said. 

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