Flashes Falter In First Game of Baseball Series At Southern Miss
3/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Kent State University baseball team chipped away at a two-run deficit to the University of Southern Mississippi, but could not convert on several key scoring opportunites and dropped the first contest of a three-game weekend series, 5-2, in Hattiesburg on Friday.
The Golden Flashes dropped a series opener for the fourth time in five tries.
KSU gave Southern Miss a scare in the bottom of the eighth inning. With his team trailing by three runs, junior second baseman Doug Sanders sparked a rally by knocking a base-hit up the middle, then moving up to second base on a ground out two batters later. Freshman left fielder Anthony Gallas drew a walk, putting the tying run at the plate for the Golden Flashes. That was as close as Kent State would get, however, as Southern Miss sophomore third baseman James Ewing ended the threat by snaring a line drive hit his way.
The Golden Flashes (5-9) fell behind the No. 26-ranked Golden Eagles (13-6) in the first inning, but cut the host's lead in half in the second. Senior catcher Will Vazquez, who led the way at the plate for KSU, cracked a one-out double down the left field line for the first of his two safeties, and sophomore designated hitter Greg Rohan drove Vazquez home by placing a single into right center field.
Southern Miss got a run back in the bottom of frame, but Kent State again pulled to within striking distance in the fifth inning. Sophomore right fielder Jason Patton reached base on a fielding error with one out. Sophomore first baseman Brad Winter moved Patton to third base by cracking a single to left field. Classmate and shortstop Chris Tremblay scored Patton with a base hit to left to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
The Golden Flashes were unable to bring home Winter or Tremblay, however, as the inning ended with KSU grounding into a double play. The double play was a decisive factor in the contest, as Kent State failed to capitalize with runners on base in three innings because of the Golden Eagles turning double plays.
Junior right-handed pitcher Dominique Rodgers came on in relief of senior righty J.J. Pacella in the first inning. Rodgers struck out two in 4.1 innings of work and allowed one earned run and four hits. Pacella surrendered two earned runs in the two-thirds of the first inning he pitched and was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 1-3 on the season.
Earning the mound victory for the Golden Eagles was senior right-hander Ryan Belanger, who tossed eight innings and struck out as many KSU batters. Belanger gave way to classmate and fellow righty Patrick Ezell. Ezell sealed the win with two strikeouts in the ninth.
Junior first baseman Trey Sutton was the big hitter for Southern Miss, going three-for-five and scoring a run. Ewing and redshirt senior catcher Eddie Burger followed with two hits apiece.
The Flashes and Eagles battle again at 1 p.m. (CST) on Saturday at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field. Junior right-hander Evan Smith is scheduled to toe the rubber for Kent State, with junior righty Barry Bowden getting the nod for Southern Miss.
