Homestand Continues as MAC Play Begins
3/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Homestand Continues as MAC Play Begins
Ball State will be Flashes' first conference test in '08
KENT - In the midst of their second-longest homestand of the season, the Kent State Golden Flashes will welcome Ball State to Schoonover Stadium for a three-game weekend series March 28-30. It will be BSU's first appearance at the stadium since winning the 2006 MAC Tournament crown in May. Kent State had its first MAC series snowed out last weekend in Ypsilanti, Mich.
In the first two games of the six-game home stretch, the Flashes have put up some serious numbers. With 25 runs on the board in wins over Malone (16-4) and Cleveland State (9-7), KSU is inching closer to the .500 mark. A year ago at this time the Flashes were 6-12. The Golden Flashes will begin play Friday having won five straight games - a season best streak. Against the Pioneers in Tuesday's home opener, KSU used the long ball as its primary weapon. With a seven-run third inning, the Flashes put the game out of reach. Home runs from Greg Rohan, Anthony Gallas, Jared Humphreys, Ben Klafczynski and Chris Tremblay highlighted Kent State's offensive attack. Sophomore right-hander Kyle Smith took the win, improving to 3-1 for the year. Down to Cleveland State at one point 6-1 on Wednesday, the Golden Flashes kept up a brave face. They simply chipped away at the deficit, using a mammoth pinch-hit homer from Ryan Mitchell to draw within 7-5 in the seventh inning. In the eighth, a four spot turned the score around. After a fielder's choice with the bases loaded made the score 7-6, Humphreys cleared the bases with a double off the wall in right to give Kent State its first and only lead of the day. The Cardinals enter the series having not played a single conference game either. Ball State's MAC opener last weekend was slated to be played at Schoonover Stadium against Akron, but weather denied any plans. As per MAC policy, those games will not be made up. Ball State is 9-9 on the season, with recent losses to Michigan and Notre Dame. The Cards put 20 runs on the board in a Wednesday win over Anderson, 20-12. A year ago, Kent State took two of three from Ball State at Ball Diamond in Muncie. The two teams have met 95 times overall with KSU holding a 53-42 edge in the win column. In last April's three-game set, Kent State scored 30 runs combined in its two wins and lost the middle game 7-6.
