Flashes Hang On in 17-14 Victory Over Pittsburgh
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
- Box Score
Kent, Ohio - Kent State (29-14) scored 11 runs in the third inning, but let a 15-run lead dwindle down to three before holding on in a 17-14 victory over Pittsburgh Tuesday (May 2) at Schoonover Stadium. The Golden Flashes led 16-1 after seven innings, but the Panthers (17-22) rallied for 13 runs in the last two innings including nine runs in the final frame.
After rain delayed the games start by 36-minutes, MAC East Hitter of the Week Todd Balduf (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) picked up right where he left off on Sunday. Balduf lifted a two-run homer over the right-field wall to give KSU a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Freshman starter Alan Morrison (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak) kept the Panther bats quiet in the first six innings, allowing his only run in the top of the third. After making three lineup substitutions and tacking on runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the Flashes appeared to be on their way to an easy victory.
The Panthers trailed 16-1 heading into the eighth inning but took advantage of two KSU errors along with four hits to score four runs. Although no one knew it at the time, an RBI single by Adam Whiting (Kent, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) in the bottom of the inning turned out to be a key insurance run.
Pitt led off the ninth with a home run from Brian Muldowney and a sign of things to come. After a pair of doubles, a Flash error and a single, the Panthers belted their second home run of the inning, this time a three-run shot from Edgar Sucre. A single and a hit-by-pitch brought Jim Negrych to the plate, who drilled a three-run homer of his own. With nine runs in on seven hits recorded in the inning, Ryan Steele (Newark, Ohio/Lakewood) struck out Jeff Stevens to end the marathon.
Burriss finished 3-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch. He stole both second and third base in the first inning and swiped his third bag of the day in the third. Burriss, who recently became Kent States all-time leader in stolen bases, brought his career total to 80. His MAC-leading 30 stolen bases on the year matches his 2005 season total. He also scored three runs in the game.
Eichorn was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and his 11th homer of the year. Sayloer ended the day 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored, five RBI and his 13th longball of the season. Balduf finished 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBI, two runs scored and his eighth dinger.
The Golden Flashes have belted 14 or more hits in 19 different games this season and the 19 hits on Tuesday were the second most in a game this year. Kent State improved to 13-2 at Schoonover Stadium. After a 7-8 start, the Flashes have won 22-of-28 games.
KSU is back action Wednesday, May 3, when they travel to Niles for a non-conference battle with Youngstown State at 7:00p.m.
