Back on Top: Kent State Wins MAC Tournament Title

Sunday, May 25

Avon, Ohio

12:00 PM

Kent State University

36-21

University of Akron

28-29

Akron

Kent State

Back on Top: Kent State Wins MAC Tournament Title

5/25/2014 4:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

AVON, Ohio – You couldn't ask for a championship game any better that the one that transpired Sunday afternoon at All-Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio.

Take two rival schools that are within close distance to the neutral-site ballpark, add in a pitcher's duel, questionable calls and superb defense and you have the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship game that Kent State won 3-0 over Akron.

The Golden Flashes have now won either the regular season or tournament title in 14 of the last 15 seasons and has won the tournament to earn an automatic bid to NCAA Regionals for the ninth time in the last 14 years.

Michael Clark had a brilliant start on the mound, going 6.2 shutout innings with four hits, one walk and three strikeouts. He was matched by an impressive performance from the Zips' Pat Dyer, who went 7.1 strong. John Fasola followed Clark in his second appearance in the tournament, remaining steady with 2.1 innings of one hit, one strikeout baseball to earn the win.

Zeros covered the scoreboard until the bottom of the 8^th when Kent State was able to clinch the victory. Jon Wilson began the inning with his fourth base hit of the day and Cody Koch was intentionally walked for the second straight time before Zarley Zalewski came up with the biggest hit of the day, a two-RBI double to right center. Curtis Olvey then singled Zalewski home to give the Flashes' their third run in the game.

Koch hit .500 in the tournament's four games to earn himself MVP honors. Zalewski, Wilson, Fasola and Brian Clark were also named to the 2014 MAC All-Tournament Team.

With the win, the Golden Flashes receive an automatic bid to NCAA Regionals. Locations will be announced Sunday night while Kent State will learn where it is headed on Monday at noon. Join the team at Water Street Tavern in downtown Kent to watch the selection show. Doors will open at 11:00am.