The Kent State softball team was swept against Ohio University this weekend. This is KSU’s ninth consecutive loss, setting its season record to 17-25 and conference record to 7-14.

“I liked our offensive fight,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I genuinely feel like they are in it, engaged, trying their absolute best to find ways to score runs.”

Friday 

When OU scored one run in the top of the first, the Flashes immediately responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Junior right fielder Ashlyn Porter lined a single to right, which scored freshman catcher Caleigh Shaulis. Then, junior first baseman Megan Claerhout scored on freshman third baseman Gabby Quinn’s double. 

The Bobcats proved to be fierce competitors, scoring six runs in the top of the second inning to which KSU responded with two. Junior center fielder Aralyn Nogay and sophomore left fielder Brooke Aberle each scored on senior second baseman Brynn Libler’s single, which caused an infield error. 

Porter scored once more on an error in the bottom of the third, and the game ended with a final score of 13-5 in favor of OU. KSU’s bats performed well, but couldn’t keep the Bobcats off the base path. 

Game two was no easier, and the Flashes lost 10-1. The lone run came from Quinn’s fielder’s choice RBI. 

“Not perfect,” O’Donnell said. “But definitely showing improvement, which I think at this point in the season, we have to celebrate any victories we can, going down the stretch, knowing that our bodies are hurting, we’re tired.”

Saturday 

Starting on the mound for KSU was freshman pitcher Riley Miller, who pitched for the full seven innings.

The Flashes didn’t get their bats going until the bottom of the third, but by then OU had already racked up six runs. After Libler tripled to right field, she scored on Claerhout’s single. Then, Claerhout and Shaulis scored thanks to Quinn’s single. 

Just after Quinn walked in the bottom of the sixth, junior designated player Leilani Johnson hit her third home run of the season to make the score 5-3.

The Flashes scored one more in the bottom of the seventh, after Claerhout’s RBI single, but this was not enough to beat the Bobcats who had a three-run lead. The final score was 9-6. 

Series Standouts 

Claerhout had a great series, going 4-for-8 with two RBI. Quinn had four RBI and went 2-for-7, and Johnson went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

Key Stats

Porter leads the Flashes in batting average at .355, continuing what’s been a great year at the plate. Freshman catcher Caleigh Shaulis leads in on-base plus slugging with an average of .994. 

Shaulis also leads RBI with 36, and below her is Claerhout with 24 (+2). Shaulis has hit the most home runs with 10, and Nogay has the most hits with 45 (+2).

Nogay is ranked 10th nationally for stolen bases with 28. 

On KSU’s pitching staff, Miller has the most strikeouts with 57 (+4) and the lowest ERA at 5.65

What’s Next

The Flashes play a doubleheader against Youngstown State University on Tuesday at the Devine Diamond. KSU’s all-time record against YSU is 9-3, and the Penguins’ current record is 25-16

“We keep talking about how there’s no such thing as quitting,” O’Donnell said. “No matter what that scoreboard says, no matter what the standings are, that even in life, you have to keep showing up, whether things are going your way or they’re not going your way.”

Audrey McCarthy is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].