Kent State Day 7 In Omaha - 2012 College World Series
6/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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The excitment and elation of Monday's 5-4 win over No. 1 Florida was still fresh in the minds of the Golden Flashes on Tuesday monring. And how could it not be. Kent State not only picked up the first College World Series win in school history, it dispatched the nation's top ranked team from the tournament.
There was little time to celebrate the victory however as the team was back on the field at Bellevue East High School for practice again on Tuesday afternoon. The team will have the vening off to soak in this thrilling journey that has taken the team to unforseen heights.
Wednesday brings about another challenging match-up for the Golden Flashes, but at this point in the season there are only six teams still left with a shot at a national title. Every team is going to be a challenge and that includes whoever has to go up against Kent State.
On Wednesday at 8:00 pm EST on ESPN the Golden Flashes will face two-time defending national champion South Carolina in an elimination game.Â
Here are a few tidbits and notes on Kent State to get your ready for the game. Â Â Â
IN A FLASH
• Kent State is 6-2 in the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and 15-23 all-time.
• Kent State is now 4-3 all-time vs. Southeastern Conference opponents in NCAA Tournament action – including two wins over then-No. 13 Kentucky in the 2012 NCAA Gary Regional. The Flashes outlasted the Wildcats 7-6, in 21 innings in the regional opener on June 1 – the second-longest game in the history of the NCAA Tournament – then clinched a dramatic 3-2 win in the regional final to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history.
• Kent State is 7-3 against ranked opponents in 2012.
• Kent State held an 8-10 record heading into 2012 MAC play. Since then, the Flashes have won 39 of their last 48 games.
• Kent State is 2-5 all-time against South Carolina. The Golden Flashes and Gamecocks will be meeting in postseason play for the first time Monday.
• Kent State junior designated hitter Jason Bagoly (Austintown, Ohio) left the team Tuesday morning to attend the services for his mother, Cheryl McHenry, who passed away last Thursday evening. The team will continue to wear the 'CM' decal on its helmets and caps to honor her memory.
KENT STATE'S STARTING PITCHER:
So. RHP Tyler Skulina (Strongsville, Ohio)
• A 2012 Second Team All-MAC pick, Tyler Skulina (Strongsville, Ohio) enters Wednesday's start carrying an 11-2 record with a 3.63 ERA and 97 strikeouts.
• Skulina went a perfect 7-0 in MAC play with 54 strikeouts.
• Skulina earned MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week honors three times in 2012. He tossed a two-hit shutout over six frames and recorded a career-high nine strikeouts March 4 at Western Kentucky, departing the game with a no decision and the contest locked in a scoreless tie. He dominated for eight-plus innings to earn his team-leading sixth pitching victory as the Kent State completed the weekend sweep in dominating fashion with a 7-1 triumph over Western Michigan April 29. Skulina baffled the Broncos over 8.1 innings – the deepest outing of his career – and carried a shutout into the ninth. He struck out six while giving up one earned run on six hits and a walk. Skulina did not allow a runner to advance past first base until Western Michigan junior first baseman Patrick Duncan hit a one-out RBI double to left field in the top of the ninth inning. Skulina earned his team-high seventh pitching victory of the season, improving to 7-2 thanks to nine strikeouts over 6.1 innings in the series finale at Ohio on May 6. He surrendered two earned runs on six hits and a walk.
• Skulina earned the pitching victory for Kent State in the 3-2 win over then-No. 13 Kentucky in the 2012 NCAA Gary Regional Final, striking out five over seven frames.
• Skulina went 5.2 innings and struck out four at Oregon in his last start last Monday (June 11) in the winner-take-all game three of the 2012 NCAA Eugene Super Regional. He departed the contest with Kent State holding a 2-0 lead but did not factor into the pitching decision as a late rally by Oregon set the stage for the dramatic walk-off win for the Golden Flashes in the bottom of the ninth.
• Skulina sat out the 2011 season after transferring to Kent State from Virginia.
• Skulina was a 46th-round MLB First-Year Player Draft selection of the Oakland Athletics in 2010,
• Skulina posted an undefeated 26-0 record as a starting pitcher at Walsh Jesuit High School under head coach Chris Kaczmar and garnered Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball First Team High School All-American honors in 2009 and honorable mention accolades in 2010.
Baseball – Kent State reaching the College World Series (defeating top ranked Florida)
Men's Golf – Kent State reached the NCAA Championships (Lost in Match Play Quarterfinals); finished T-5th overall
Football – MAC went 4-1 in bowl games en route to winning the ESPN Bowl Challenge Cup
Men's Soccer – Akron & Northern Illinois both reached NCAA Tournament (Akron made it to the Sweet 16, Northern Illinois won a first round game)
Volleyball - A Record Four Volleyball Teams (Ball State, Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan) Received NCAA Tournament Bids
Men's Basketball – Ohio Bobcats reached the Sweet 16 (took North Carolina to OT)
For more on @FlashesBaseball College World Series journey check out www.MAC-Sports.com
Brought to you by Hall Green Agency official sponsor of Kent State's College World Series Journey
