SAN MARCOS, Texas – After suffering a loss in the season opener early Friday, the Villanova Wildcats bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Kent State in their second game of the day.

In her Wildcat debut, starting pitcher Peyton Schnackenberg delivered a three-hit shutout, going all seven innings while striking out six and surrendering just two walks.

It was a pitching duel at the Bobcast Softball Stadium, as neither side managed a run until the final frame.

With KSU pitcher Anilese Kelly twirling a two-hitter to this point, the game headed into the seventh inning tied at 0-0.

Dani Dabroski and Schnackenberg each drew walks to lead off the final stanza. Junior outfielder Tess Cites then worked a 12-pitch at-bat before moving Dabroski over to third, which was followed by a Chloe Smith walk to load the bases.

With one out, sophomore Kelsey White came to bat and smacked a double to right center, scoring Dabroski and Schnackenberg to give the Wildcats a lead. Ally Jones then drove Smith in with a sacrifice fly, providing VU a three-run edge.

Despite two hitters reaching base to lead off the bottom half of the inning, Schnackenberg shut down the Golden Flashes and gave the Wildcats their first win of 2023.

White totaled two hits and RBIs for the 'Cats, with Dabroski registering the other hit for Villanova (1-1). Seven different players worked a walk as VU faced a total of 151 pitches in the contest.

NEXT UP: Villanova has two contests in San Marcos on Saturday, taking on host Texas State at 1:30 p.m. and a rematch against Wichita State at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.