Kent State University
Arkansas
Flashes and Diamond Hogs to Meet for First Time Since CWS
3/8/2018 5:55:00 PM | Baseball
Kent State and Arkansas will play three this weekend in Fayetteville
For the first time since the magical 2012 season, the Golden Flashes are prepared to take on a team from the Southeastern Conference – generally thought of as college baseball royalty.
The Golden Flashes (6-3) continue their early-season swing through the south with a visit to No. 7 Arkansas (9-3) this weekend in Fayetteville. The two teams opened competition in Omaha at the 2012 College World Series where the Razorbacks cooled the Flashes off, 8-1. This weekend's series will feature a Friday doubleheader and an off day Saturday due to forecasted weather in the Natural State.
Kent State has won two of three weekend series so far in 2018 – sweeping three clubs in Tennessee and then claimed a weekend win over Winthrop, two games to one. Eli Kraus, Joey Murray and Jared Skolnicki will once again start on the bump for the local nine. The Golden Flashes are now 48-18 on the road over the last three years and are 13-25 lifetime against current members of the SEC.
DIAMOND DIALOGUE
- Kent State is on the road below the Mason-Dixon Line for the third straight weekend to start the season.
- KSU is facing Arkansas for the first time since the two opened play in Omaha at the 2012 College World Series.
- Kent State has won six of nine to start the season and is 5-1 in its last two weekends.
- KSU has scored 20 runs in the ninth inning so far in 2018. They have outscored the opposition 32-9 from the seventh inning on.
- Kent State has also scored 16 total runs in the first two innings combined this season.
- The Golden Flashes have won either the Mid-American Conference regular season or tournament championship in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
- KSU has been tabbed the pre-season league favorite in both the regular and post-season.
- Kent State's current NCAA Regional Tournament drought of three seasons is the longest since 1995-2000.
- The Golden Flashes will take aim at their 20th consecutive season with at least 30 victories. KSU has had one sub-.500 season since 1981.
BUILT ROAD TOUGH
Kent State has been one of the nation's best road teams over the past two seasons. Between 2016 and 2017, the Golden Flashes have posted a sparkling 42-15 record away from Portage County. That mark includes an impressive eight sweeps on the road. KSU is 6-3 this year on the road to bring the three-year total to 48-18.
SCOUTING THE DIAMOND HOGS
The 2018 schedule amps up in difficulty this weekend as KSU prepares to visit seventh-ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 7-1 at home and boast one of the college sports' most intimidating home venues. Arkansas is led by all-around superstar Eric Cole who is 17-for-43 in the young season. He is the squad's hits, runs scored, walks and total bases leader. On the mound, MLB prospect Blaine Knight has worked 17 innings in 2018 allowing a single run. He has struck out 15 against just four walks and opponents are managing a .190 batting average against him. Arkansas won 45 games a year ago but lost in the SEC Tournament Championship game to LSU and was then shocked on its home field in NCAA regional play by Missouri State.
