The Kent State University at Tuscarawas softball team wrapped up its spring break trip at the Space Coast Sports Complex with a 1–8 record against a challenging slate of opponents.
The Golden Eagles opened the week on March 9 with three contests, falling to Defiance College Yellow Jackets softball10–1 in five innings, dropping a 7–3 decision to Bismarck State College Mystics softball, and narrowly losing to Wilmington College Quakers softball 8–6.
Play continued on March 10 as Tuscarawas faced University of Fort Lauderdale Eagles softball and Olivet Nazarene University Tigers softball. The Golden Eagles battled in a 6–4 loss to Fort Lauderdale before falling 9–0 in five innings against Olivet Nazarene.
Tuscarawas broke through for its lone win of the trip on March 12 with an offensive explosion in a 25–2 victory over Fisher College Falcons softball in five innings.
Leading the charge was Shepherd, who collected three hits in four at-bats, including two doubles and a single. Tuscarawas jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning before adding five runs in the second.
The Golden Eagles continued to build their lead throughout the game, scoring eight runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to seal the run-rule victory. Shepherd finished with multiple extra-base hits, while Spillman added two hits and two RBIs.
Tuscarawas also showed patience at the plate, drawing 11 walks in the contest. Yoder and Edwards each recorded two walks, while the team used aggressive baserunning to swipe 11 stolen bases.
Lemmel earned the win in the circle, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) over three innings while striking out three without issuing a walk. Kliffel added two scoreless innings in relief.
Tuscarawas closed out the trip with three more games, falling to University of St. Francis Fighting Saints softball 10–0, Aquinas College Saints softball 8–0, and Lawrence Technological University Blue Devils softball 16–0.
Despite the tough results, the Golden Eagles were able to gain valuable early-season experience against a variety of programs during the Florida trip.