Kent State University
6-4
Arkansas
10-3
Flashes Blast #7 Arkansas? 10-4 Good Buddy!
3/9/2018 11:45:00 PM | Baseball
KSU wins its first game vs. top-10 opponent since ’12 CWS
Flashes Blast #7 Arkansas? 10-4 Good Buddy!
KSU wins its first game vs. top-10 opponent since '12 CWS
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The last time the Golden Flashes had a win this big, they were in Omaha.
Facing No. 7 Arkansas for the first time since a magical 2012 run to the College World Series, Kent State (7-4) routed the Razorbacks 10-4 in the second game of a doubleheader at Charlie Baum Stadium. The Golden Flashes struck for three in the first and added single tallies in the third and fourth to open a 5-1 lead. A four-run eighth put the game away for good.
Meanwhile, the KSU bullpen kept the Diamond Hogs' bats at bay. Connor Wollersheim got the start for Kent State and continued his early season success. He gave way in the fourth and Austin Havekost came on and logged nearly four brilliant shutout innings. He struck out six and allowed only two harmless hits. John Mathews tossed the final two frames to close Arkansas out.
Kent State got an explosive offensive game from Pavin Parks who finished with a pair of hits and four runs batted in. Brad Hamilton added two more RBIs on a couple of hits as well. KSU collected nine hits total in the game and patiently waited out seven walks.
Six years ago in Nebraska, Kent State eliminated then-No. 1 Florida, 5-4 at TD Ameritrade Park. Friday's triumph over the Hogs was KSU's first win over a top-10 ranked and Southeastern Conference opponent since that June 18, 2012 victory over the Gators.
In Friday's first game, the Golden Flashes suffered a 7-2 setback. Nick Kanavas started the scoring with a laser home run to left off Hogs' ace Blaine Knight. But the Arkansas righty was too strong over six innings for the KSU bats. A four-run fourth helped give the Razorbacks some breathing room.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Golden Flashes will have an off day Saturday (Mar. 10) and will play Arkansas Sunday in the rubber match of the three game series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Blaine Knight (3-0)
L: Kraus, Eli (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Mamarella, Mason 1
HR: Kanavas, Nick 1
RBI: Mamarella, Mason 1 ; Kanavas, Nick 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kanavas, Nick 1 ; O'Brien, Kian 1
Batting:
2B: Casey Martin 1 ; Dominic Fletcher 1
HR: Eric Cole 1 ; Grant Koch 1 ; Carson Shaddy 1
RBI: Eric Cole 3 ; Grant Koch 2 ; Carson Shaddy 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jax Biggers 1 ; Eric Cole 1 ; Heston Kjerstad 1 ; Grant Koch 1 ; Dominic Fletcher 1 ; Carson Shaddy 2
SB: Jax Biggers 1 ; Carson Shaddy 1
CS: Eric Cole 1 ; Casey Martin 1
HBP: Jax Biggers 1
