Raiders Nip Golden Flashes

Tuesday, May 1

Fairborn, OH

3:00

Kent State University

28-13

Wright State

29-13

Kent State

Wright State

5/1/2018 6:32:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Nation’s winningest road team narrowly misses win no. 21

By: Ty Linder

Raiders Nip Golden Flashes

Nation's winningest road team narrowly misses win no. 21

FAIRBORN, OHIO – One bad inning was Kent State's undoing Tuesday afternoon in an 8-6 loss to Horizon League leader Wright State.

In a far-too-infrequent match-up of two programs which have combined for nine NCAA Regional appearances since 2009, the Golden Flashes (28-13) took an early 4-2 lead on a bases-clearing double by Mason Mamarella. But the Raiders (29-13) tallied single runs over the next two frames to tie it, 4-4. That brought an end to rookie starter Ryan Lane's day and set the stage for the game-deciding fifth.

Wright State sent eight men to the plate against the KSU pen, plating four runs to snap the tie. Two-run hits from Gabe Snyder and Chase Slone accounted for the four runs. Tyler Drabick prevented further damage by retiring the two hitters he faced.

Kent State had chances early and in the middle of the game, but struggled with men on base and less than two outs. The Flashes also had a man gunned down at the plate on a perfect relay throw following a Reilly Hawkins' two out double. Hawkins – who finished last week six for 16 – led KSU offensively with three hits in four at-bats.

The WSU bullpen logged seven innings, giving up just two runs and striking out seven. Zach Spangler, Jack Zimmerman and John Matthews each made scoreless appearances for the Golden Flashes. The Flashes were outhit, 13-8.

KSU will open a seven-game, two-week home stand when it hosts the Walsh Cavaliers Wednesday night. Bowling Green will be in for the weekend. Wednesday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with Zach Schultz on the mound.