Perseverance Pays Off as Kent State Wins in Extra Innings to Take Series
3/18/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Memphis, Tenn. – Neither Kent State (6-11) nor Memphis (11-8) were able to break a 2-2 tie that lasted the final six innings of regulation, but the Golden Flashes were finally able to break the deadlock in the top of the 10th to leave the weekend with a 4-2 victory and their second consecutive series win.
Kent State was able to load the bases in the tenth after Alex Miklos singled, Evan Campbell doubled and George Roberts was intentionally walked with one out on the board. Tommy Monnot was then hit by a pitch to score what would be the winning run for the Golden Flashes. They added one more for insurance when Cody Koch singled with bases still loaded.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score earlier in the game, as Kent State stranded a runner on third in the fifth inning and left bases loaded in the sixth. Likewise, Memphis left a runner of their own on third in the seventh and bases loaded in the eighth inning. They also stranded a runner on second base in the ninth.
The Golden Flashes got on the board first as Miklos led off the game with a walk and came home to score on a RBI single by Roberts. They scored again in the next inning after Derek Toadvine and Miklos hit back-to-back singles and were able to advance on a throwing error.
Casey Wilson had one of his best starts this season, lasting 7.1 innings allowing only two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two. Nick Jensen-Clagg (1-1) earned the win in two innings of scoreless work, allowing two hits while striking out two.
Miklos had his second big game in a row, finishing 3-for-4 and scoring two runs. Campbell and Koch both went 2-for-5.
This is Kent State's third extra-inning game this season. They lost in ten innings in their second game of the season to UNC-Wilmington, 7-6. Last weekend, they clinched a series win over Charlotte in a 7-5, 10-inning Sunday victory.
The Golden Flashes return to action Wednesday (Mar. 20) as they host the Pittsburgh Panthers in the home opener at Schoonover Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
