Flashes Take On Zips Tuesday Night in "Diamond Classic for Kids"
4/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Kent State baseball team takes on rival Akron Tuesday night in "The Diamond Classic For Kids" at Canal Park. All gate proceeds for the non-conference game will benefit Akron Children's Hospital. The Golden Flashes will be the visiting team.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and students with a valid ID. Ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by Josh Cribbs, Charlie Frye, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and a representive from Akron Children's Hospital. The game will be the first of what both schools are hoping will be an annual event.
Earlier this month, players, coaches and mascots from both teams visited Akron Children's Hospital handing out baseballs, T-shirts, and posters with autographs for recovering patients.
"It's an opportunity for our fans and Akron's fans to support their teams and more importantly, support a great cause with Children's Hospital," said KSU coach Scott Stricklin. "It's a great rivalry game and it's going to be a fun atmosphere to play in a professional park."
"Our visit to the hospital was, most importantly, a great opportunity for our guys to try to lift the spirits of kids who are less fortunate than us," UA head coach Pat Bangtson said. "But it was also a great experience for our players. For as important baseball is to our guys, getting the chance to meet withchildren in that type of situation certainly puts things in perspective."
"Akron Children's Hospital is pleased to be partnering with two outstanding institutions such as the University of Akron and Kent State University to raise both money and awareness for OUR children's hospital," said Laura Jo Hawk, director of annual programs at Akron Children's Hospital. "Community involvement such as the Diamond Classic for Kids is vital to continuing the mission of our hospital where we treat each child as if they were our own, regardless of a family's ability to pay."
The Diamond Classic for Kids will be the first of four meetings on the year, as the rivals will play a three-game set at Akron's Lee Jackson Field May 11-13.
Series History
Kent State leads the all-time series with Akron 87-46-1. Last season the Flashes split a pair of games with the Zips at Schoonover Stadium. Andrew Davis smacked a pair of hits in each game. Canal Park, home of the Akron Aeros, will be hosting the rivalry game for the third time. The last time the teams squared off at the minor league park, Kent State came away with a 10-inning 4-3 victory in 2003.
Starting Pitchers
Each team will send a left-hander to the mound Tuesday. Sophomore Alan Morrison will take the hill for the Flashes. Morrison carries a career record of 7-1 and will be making his sixth start of the year.
Freshman Zach Yike (1-1) will make his fifth start of the season for the Zips. Yike carries a 3.29 ERA in 27.1 innngs pitched. He has struck out 11 batters and walked 14.
Over the Weekend
Akron dropped two of three games at Bowling Green including a 16-15 slugfest on Sunday. Charlie Lenhard led the Zips on Sunday with two home runs and seven RBI, helping his team battle back from 14-5 deficit.
Kent State took two of three games from MAC East leader Miami in Oxford. Anthony Gallas homered in each of KSU's two victories. On Saturday, the Golden Flashes smacked a season-high 19 hits, including four by Greg Rohan and Doug Sanders.
