Five-Run 15th Inning Gives Flashes Victory Over Winthrop

Saturday, February 22

Rock Hill, SC

4:00 PM

Kent State University

4-2

Winthrop University

3-3

KENT STATE

WINTHROP

Five-Run 15th Inning Gives Flashes Victory Over Winthrop

2/22/2014 8:45:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Kent State's (4-2) bats broke open a 4-4 deadlock in the 15^th inning of Saturday's (Feb. 22) game to give the Golden Flashes a 9-4 win over Winthrop (3-3).

The Golden Flashes took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Jacob Neuschaefer singled, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt, then came home on a groundout by Sawyer Polen.

Kent State gave in to its first deficit of the weekend when Winthrop plated three runs in the third on a single, double and a bases-clearing single. But starter Nick Jensen-Clagg got out of the jam by forcing three groundouts to end the inning.

The Eagles' lead lasted only a few innings, as the Kent State bats worked their way back into the game in the 6^th. The two-run inning began with a Polen walk followed by back-to-back hits coming in the form of a Justin Wagler single and a RBI double by Alex Miklos. Zarley Zalewski then grabbed himself a base hit to score Wagler. After a pitching change with no outs and runners on the corners, Kent State took a 4-3 lead on a ground ball that resulted in a double play.

However, Winthrop wasn't done for the night, as they tied things up in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings.

The Golden Flashes threatened in the 11^th with runners on second and third, but could not bring them in. The Eagles also stranded two in the bottom of the inning when with two outs, Dan Kopcak was able to escape the inning after a fielder's choice bunt and a double play ball.

The game remained in a 4-4 deadlock until the Flashes broke things open in the 15^th inning. Cody Koch started the rally when he reached on an error and made his way to second base. Tommy Monnot then laid down a bunt single to put runners on the corners with no outs. T.J. Sutton made contact with the first pitch he saw, drawing a fielder's choice that allowed Monnot to move to third and Koch to score after another error. Zach Beckner and Neuschaefer added insurance runs on a sacrifice fly and base hit, respectively, to make it a 7-4 game. With bases loaded a few at-bats later, Jon Wilson added to the damage with a two RBI base hit.

Spencer Bryant came on in the bottom of the 15^th to close out the game and secure the 9-4 victory for the Golden Flashes.

Miklos finished the day going 3-for-6 with three doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Monnot also had a three-hit day in eight at-bats. Polen, Wagler, Zalewski and Neuschaefer each had two hits in the game.

Jensen-Clagg went five innings in the start with six hits, three runs, one walk and three strikeouts. Dan Kopcak had four strong innings of relief, all coming during bonus innings to earn himself the win. He allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out four.

Kent State concludes play in the Coca-Cola Classic in an 11:00am game versus Coppin State on Sunday (Feb. 23).