Hamilton's Big Day Secures Series Sweep at Charlotte

Sunday, March 6

Charlotte, NC

1:00 PM

Kent State University

7-3

Charlotte

5-6

Kent State

Charlotte

Photo by: David Dermer

Hamilton's Big Day Secures Series Sweep at Charlotte

3/6/2016 4:19:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Brad Hamilton erupted for a 5-for-5 day with two doubles, a homerun and six RBI in his first game of the season to lead Kent State (7-3) to an 11-3 win over Charlotte (5-6) on Sunday to clinch the series sweep.

"It was good to see us take three from a really good team," said Head Coach Jeff Duncan. "We knew we had a challenge ahead of us this weekend but it was really nice to see us play so well. These guys have been working so hard to this point and its great to see them reap the rewards in all facets of the game."

The 49ers had their first lead of the weekend early on, as they started the game with a three-run 1^st. A walk, fielder's choice and hit batter put two on before a first-pitch homerun out to left field cleared the bases.

In his first at-bat of the season, Hamilton joined in on the long ball, swatting the first homerun of his career out to left center to make it a 3-1 game.

The Golden Flashes inched closer in the 4^th when Alex Miklos singled, moved a base on a passed ball and scored on a base hit by Zarley Zalewski. Hamilton proved his worth again in the frame, tying the game on a RBI single.

Kent State took the lead in the 6^th when Zalewski singled, Rosa walked and Hamilton came up clutch again with another RBI base hit. Zach Beckner followed with another single to make the score 5-3. A bases-loaded walk to Burch tacked on another later on in the frame.

Starter Eli Kraus headed back to the mound with the lead and threw nine pitches for a 1-2-3 inning to take the game to the 7^th.

Hamilton continued his torrent in the next frame with a two-RBI double down the line after Zalewski started the inning with a double and Dylan Rosa reached on an error.

The team tacked on two more in the 8^th when Sam Hurt reached on an error in a pinch hit appearance and Miklos doubled to left center. Zalewski then singled in Hurt and Hamilton doubled in Miklos.

Hamilton's strong performance was joined by Zalewski who went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Miklos finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored to help the team rack up 13 hits.

Kraus went 7.0 innings in the start with three runs, four hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Zach Spangler followed with an inning of work, not allowing a run, hit or walk in that time. Aaron Tadian closed out the game with three groundouts in the bottom of the 9^th.

"We got a great start from Kraus and our defense played very sound again," added Duncan. "Hamilton had an unbelievable day and I am so proud of him as he works his tail off every day. It couldn't of happened to a better person him. It was also good to see Zalewski have a big day as well."

The Golden Flashes will look to stay hot next weekend when they travel to Radford for a three game series beginning Friday, March 11.