The Book of Jared

Tuesday, March 27

South Bend, Ind.

6:05

Kent State University

12-8

Notre Dame

10-13

Kent State

Notre Dame

3/27/2018 9:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Senior southpaw mesmerizes Notre Dame as Flashes prevail, 4-1

NOTRE DAME, IND. - Kent State got lights-out pitching and three runs batted in from Josh Hollander to defeat Notre Dame, 4-1 on a rainy spring night in South Bend.

KSU struck first in the first game of this two-game midweek series in the second inning. With Nick Elsen on, Hollander came through with a double to right to push the Golden Flashes out in front, 1-0. The good guys made it 2-0 an inning later when Pavin Parks was chauffeured home by Tim Dalporto.

Meanwhile, lefty starter Jared Skolnicki was busy channeling his inner Andy Sonnanstine on the mound. Skolnicki enjoyed maybe his best start since coming off Tommy John surgery on the same field former great Sonnanstine twired a 2-1 masterpiece in the 2004 NCAA Regionals. On this night, the southpaw carved up the Irish lineup over his nearly eight innings of work. His only blemish came in the third when a seeing-eye single found the outfield. But Skolnicki toughened up and kept KSU in front, 2-1.

In the sixth inning with two outs and Elsen aboard, Hollander lofted a high, arching fly ball down the right field line. It kept carrying into the corner thanks to a swirling wind until it ultimately found its target – the right field foul pole. The ball clanged off the bright yellow column to give Kent State a 4-1 lead.

Skolnicki left in the eighth after striking out six and scattering eight hits. KSU then called upon the services of rookie right-hander Collin Romel. He calmly locked down the ND bats in the eighth and ninth to secure his first collegiate save. Romel fanned two Notre Dame hitters in the ninth.

The Golden Flashes now have two road wins over "Power Five" opponents this year, with an earlier win over then-No. 7 Arkansas.

The series ends on Wednesday night when rookie Ryan Lane gets his first collegiate start for the Golden Flashes. The game is slated for 6:05.