South Bend Split

Wednesday, March 28

South Bend, Ind.

6:05

Kent State University

12-9

Notre Dame

11-13

Kent State

Notre Dame

Photo by: Erin Locascio

3/28/2018 9:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KSU heads to Kalamazoo for MAC series Friday

By: Ty Linder

NOTRE DAME, IND. – The Fighting Irish broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out eighth inning run and Kent State wasted a dream ninth inning situation as Notre Dame escaped this brief two-game midweek series with a 2-1 win.

In the eighth inning with a runner on second and two outs, KSU reliever John Matthews tossed a two-strike breaking ball to ND's Alex Kerschner. The pitch appeared to stick the outside corner, but it was called it ball two. Two pitches later the senior catcher blistered a single into left field to give the Irish a 2-1 lead.

Undeterred, Kent State got a leadoff single from Mason Mamarella to start the ninth. After back-to-back walks on five pitches to Pavin Parks and Reilly Hawkins, the Flashes had the bases loaded with no one out. However, the ND bullpen was able to get the final three outs on three pitches thanks to back-to-back force outs at the plate and an infield ground out.

Tim DalPorto hit his third home run of the season to account for the Flashes' only run.

KSU got superb pitching for the second game in a row, despite the loss. Rookie Ryan Lane tossed three shutout innings and struck out four in his first collegiate start. Kent State hurlers held the Fighting Irish offense to three runs in 18 innings this week.

Kent State travels to Kalamazoo for its first road series in Mid-American Conference play. The first pitch on Friday from Bobb Stadium is 3 p.m.