Kent State University
Bowling Green
Flashes Clinch Series With 9-3 Win Over Falcons
5/9/2015 4:46:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio - An all-around strong performance by Kent State (28-19, 15-8) on Saturday afternoon gave the team a 9-3 victory over Bowling Green (19-26, 11-12) and clinched the series win.
It started on the mound as Eric Lauer dropped his already miniscule ERA even lower with the win. The sophomore tossed 7.0 innings, needing only 82 pitches. He allowed just two hits and one earned run with three walks and five strikeouts.
The Golden Flashes' bats were quick to add in plenty of run support. They scored two in the first when Zach Beckner hit a ground-rule double then scored on a single by Sawyer Polen. Zarley Zalewski followed with a single before Conner Simonetti also had a base hit to score Polen.
Another run came in the 2nd when Reilly Hawkins and Dylan Rosa smacked back-to-back doubles. A three-run 3rd put Kent State up 6-0 early. In the frame, Zalewski was hit by a pitch and Tommy Monnot reached on a error; both advanced to put two runners in scoring position. Jeff Revesz then hit a sacrifice fly, Hamilton singled to put Monnot on third, and Monnot came home easily on a passed ball. A throwing error on a single by Hawkins allowed Hamilton to come home from second for the third run of the inning.
The scoring continued in the bottom of the 4th when Polen walked and scored on a Zalewski double. The Golden Flashes tacked two more on in the 8th when Zalewski singled after a Rosa single, Beckner single and Polen walk loaded the bases.
The Falcons were able to bring lone runs across in the 4th, 6th and 8th but were never a serious threat to the Golden Flashes' lead.
Zach Spangler threw 1.2 innings in relief with three hits, one run and two strikeouts. Eli Martin got the final out of the game.
Kent State collected 15 hits on the day, as Zalewski led the way with three and three RBI. Rosa, Beckner, Polen, Revesz and Hawkins all joined in with multi-hit efforts.
The series finale will take place on Sunday in a noon start. The Golden Flashes' seniors will be recognized prior to the game as they take the field for the last time at Schoonover Stadium.
