Kent State Splits Doubleheader at Winthrop

Saturday, February 14

Rock Hill, SC

1:00 PM

Kent State University

0-2

Winthrop University

2-0

Kent State

Winthrop

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Splits Doubleheader at Winthrop

2/14/2015 8:18:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Kent State (1-2) had a slow start to the day on Saturday by losing 2-1 to Winthrop (2-1) but picked up the pace in the second game of the doubleheader as Jacob Neuschaefer and Jared Skolnicki shined in a 9-5 win.

In the first game, Kent State wasted no time getting the offense going, as Luke Burch got started the contest with a base hit. Two hit batters and a walk later and the Flashes were on the board before the Eagles got to the plate.

It stayed a 1-0 game until Winthrop broke through with a run in the 6^th after a hit by pitch, stolen base and a double. The two-bagger was just the second hit allowed by starter Andy Ravel. The sophomore then induced a popup and a strikeout looking to end the threat.

The Eagles threatened again in the 7^th with Eric Lauer on the mound in relief of Ravel. Lauer started the inning strong with a groundout and strikeout before giving up a single and allowing the runner to advance to third on his own error. Lauer then silenced the Eagles with another strikeout.

The Golden Flashes took a turn to threaten the lead in the 7^th when Sawyer Polen singled with two outs and advanced to third on an error, but he was stranded there to end the inning.

Winthrop eventually broke through in the 8^th on a fielder's choice, error and single to take a 2-1 lead. Another strikeout from Lauer stranded a runner at third to keep it a one-run game, but Kent State could not answer in the 9^th and lost 2-1.

Lauer suffered the loss in two innings of work as he allowed two hits and one run with one walk and three strikeouts. His sophomore counterpart Ravel had a very strong 2015 debut with just two hits, one run, two walks and five strikeouts in six innings.

Polen led the way offensively with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Burch and Zarley Zalewski accounted for the team's other hits.

Kent State got its offense going in the second game with 13 hits in a 9-5 win. It started off with a bang as Jake Neuschaefer began his season at the plate with a double. Zach Backner was then hit by a pitch to put two on with no outs, but they would be stranded to start to contest.

The Golden Flashes got on the board first in the 3^rd inning. Neuschaefer provided the spark again as he was hit by a pitch and stole second to start the inning. He later came home on a single by Zalewski.

Kent State broke the game open with a three-run 6^th inning. Jeff Revesz led off with a single and advanced on ground out before scoring on a Burch base hit. Burch then stole second base, which enabled him to come home as Neuschaefer grabbed a RBI single. Neuschaefer scored the third run of the frame on a single by Zach Beckner.

Winthrop was able to answer with three runs of their own in the 7^th but Kent State posted another three-run inning itself in the 8^th. After a pitching change, Dylan Rosa and Burch were walked before Neuschaefer stayed productive by advancing the runners on a groundout. Polen belted a double to right to score both runners. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, he was able to come home on an error.

The Eagles again tried to make something happen with a two-run 8^th, but the Golden Flashes weren't done either, following the home team again with two runs in the top of the 9^th. Revesz led off with a walk and Tommy Monnot reached on an error. Bases were then loaded with a Burch single. Neuschaefer completed his big night with a two-RBI single to left to put the Kent State run total to nine.

In his first start of the season, Neuschaefer showed he belonged there by going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs and three RBI. Burch also had a strong game, hitting 3-for-4 with two runs, a RBI and a walk. Neuschaefer also stole three bases while Burch swiped one.

The Golden Flashes' hurlers continued their strong start, beginning with Jared Skolnicki who earned his first career win in the starting role. The sophomore went five innings with just three hits, no runs, one walk and seven strikeouts. Five pitchers out of the bullpen combined for the remaining four innings, allowing four earned runs, six walks and six strikeouts.

The series finale set for Sunday has been canceled due to unseasonably cold weather in Rock Hill.