Duncan Wins 100th Career Game as Flashes Take Series Versus RedHawks

Sunday, May 1

Kent, OH

1:00 PM

Kent State University

33-11, 14-4

Miami University (OH)

21-22, 10-5

Miami

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Duncan Wins 100th Career Game as Flashes Take Series Versus RedHawks

5/1/2016 4:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Third-year Head Coach Jeff Duncan earned his 100^th career win as Kent State (33-11, 14-4) topped Miami (21-22, 10-5) 4-3 to take the series and remain in first place in the Mid-American Conference standings.

The Golden Flashes are two games up on Ball State in the overall standings and lead Miami by 2.5 games in the East Division.

Sunday's game highlights came via a trio of sophomores who shined in big moments. Starting pitcher Eli Kraus battled late to earn the win while fellow hurler Zach Willeman notched his 11^th save this year. Dylan Rosa's two-run blast was the difference maker offensively.

The first four frames made it a back-and-forth game until Rosa's blast. Luke Burch continued on his torrid pace as he led off the game with a triple and scored on a Zarley Zalewski base knock. The RedHawks answered with a solo homerun in the top of the 2^nd to tie it.

Kent State snuck back in front in the bottom of the 3^rd when Dom Iero was hit by a pitch, was sacrificed over by Sam Hurt, moved to third on a single by Burch and then scored on a throwing error on the play. Miami was able to take the lead in the 4^th on a solo homerun, double and groundout to take a 4-3 advantage.

Rosa's homer in the 6^th came after Zalewski singled yet again to give the lead back to the home team. Kraus then returned to the mound, threw four pitches and headed back to the dugout to keep the momentum on the home team's side.

After Kraus allowed a one-out single in the 8^th, Willeman came in to close the door, striking out a batter with a runner in scoring position to finish the frame then getting two flyouts and a strikeout in the 9^th.

Kraus allowed three runs and seven hits while striking out seven in 7.1 innings. Willeman did not allow a hit or free pass while striking out two.

Burch finished the day 3-for-4 while Zalewski went 2-for-3 to lead the Flashes' efforts at the plate.

Kent State will return to the diamond next weekend when it hosts Buffalo for a three-game set beginning Friday at 6 p.m.