Baseball Loses Series Opener at Middle Tennessee 12-4

Friday, February 28

Murfreesboro, TN

4:00 PM

Kent State University

5-3

Middle Tennessee State University

4-4

Kent State

Middle Tennessee

Baseball Loses Series Opener at Middle Tennessee 12-4

2/28/2014 7:13:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Despite an early 2-0 lead, Kent State (5-3) struggled to get much going in a 12-4 loss in the series-opener against Middle Tennessee State (4-4) on Friday night (Feb. 28).

The Golden Flashes took their only lead of the game with a two-run second inning to put the game's first points on the board. Zarley Zalewski led off with a single and was doubled home by Cody Koch. Koch scored in the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Monnot.

Middle Tennessee State posted a four-run third thanks in large part to a three-run homerun to left field to take the lead.

Kent State kept battling, tying the game in the top of the 4^th on another double-single combination, this time by Alex Miklos and Zalewski. The Golden Flashes then plated a run in the 6^th to tie things at four apiece. In the frame, T.J. Sutton reached on an error and scored later on a Zalewski double.

But, the Raiders wouldn't let the Flashes get any closer, as the home team posted a big five-run 6^th inning to take the lead for good. A series of base hits and a two-run double caused the damage in the inning. Middle Tennessee was able to tack on another three runs in the 8^th to make it a 12-4 game.

Brian Clark (1-2) went 5.1 innings in the start with seven hits, six runs, three walks and two strikeouts. Dan Kopcak struggled in 0.2 innings of relief, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out one.

Zalewski continued on his blistering offensive pace, going 3-for-4 on the day with a double and two RBI. His performance counted for half of Kent State's hits. Miklos and Koch both had a double and run scored.

The two teams will face off again on Saturday (Mar. 1) at 2:00pm EST.