Kent State Drops Opener at Arizona

Friday, February 14

Tucson, AZ

8:00 PM

Kent State University

0-1

University of Arizona

1-0

Kent State

Arizona

Photo by: David Dermer

2/14/2014 11:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. - Kent State (0-1) had a quick lead, but it did not last long as Arizona (1-0) was able to spoil the season-opener with a 13-1 win.

"We gave up 17 free bases today," said Head Coach Jeff Duncan, "we minimize that and it is a different game. Our at-bats were not good as a whole, we seemed anxious at the plate."

The Golden Flashes struck first in the top of the third when Justin Wagler singled, Jon Wilson reached on a fielder's choice and Alex Miklos brought him home on a two-out triple to score the game's first run.

The Wildcats were able to answer back immediately in the bottom of the third and gave themselves a big cushion with a seven-run inning in the fourth. They did it on just three hits, two of which were doubles, and some help from Kent State mistakes with two walks, two wild pitches, two hit batters and a passed ball in the frame.

Arizona was able to tack on a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to make it an 11-1 game. They tallied two more in the eighth to make it a 13-1 final.

First-time starter Brian Clark lasted 3.1 innings, giving up seven runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one. Jared Skolnicki had his Kent State debut, throwing 2.2 innings with six hits, two earned runs, one walk and one strikeout to finish the game.

Offensively, Wagler and Zarley Zalewski each had two hits on the night. Zalewski had a leadoff triple in the fourth on a full count after fouling off seven pitches.

The Golden Flashes and Wildcats return to action on Saturday at 8:00pm EST.