Kent State Wins Diamond Classic for Kids 7-1

Thursday, May 14

Canal Park, Akron

6:30 PM

Kent State University

30-19, 0

University of Akron

24-27, 0

Kent State

Akron

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Wins Diamond Classic for Kids 7-1

5/14/2015 10:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score (pdf)

AKRON, Ohio - Kent State (30-19, 17-8) took down Akron (24-27, 12-13) by a score of 7-1 to win the 9^th annual Diamond Classic for Kids Thursday night.

The victory keeps the Golden Flashes atop the Mid-American Conference East Division and just a game out of first place overall. It also marks the 17^th-straight season Kent State has won 30 or more games and improves the team to 6-2 in the annual charity game.

Thursday's contest broke open with a five-run 3^rd inning for the Golden Flashes. Curtis Olvey led off with a double and Reilly Hawkins advanced him when he reached on an error before Dylan Rosa singled the first runner home. A sacrifice bunt by Zach Beckner put two runners in scoring position to come home on a base hit by Sawyer Polen. Back-to-back RBI singles by Monnot and Simonetti made it a 5-0 game.

Kent State kept things going in the 4^th with two more runs. Olvey again led off and reached on a walk. Beckner then singled him home before coming home himself on a single by Polen.

Nick Jensen-Clagg had a phenomenal start, shutting out the Zips while allowing just two hits in 6.1 innings. He walked two while striking out eight to earn the win. Tim Faix entered the game in relief, threw two pitches, got two outs and sent the game to the 8^th.

Akron was able to score one run in the 8^th and loaded the bases in the 9^th, but Patrick Dayton entered the game, threw four pitches and struck out the final batter to end it. Aaron Tadian also appeared in relief in the contest, going 1.0 inning with one hit and one strikeout.

Polen finished 3-for-5 with three RBI on the night. Beckner and Monnot both had two hits, a run scored and a RBI. All nine starters were able to reach base safely in the game.

The series will now move to Lee Jackson Field on Akron's campus. Game two is set for Friday at 4 p.m.