Flashes Fall Short in Friday's Pitchers Duel

Friday, April 1

Kent, OH

2:00 PM

Kent State University

17-8, 2-2

Western Michigan University

8-15, 1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Michigan	0	0	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	5	7	0
Kent State	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	4	10	1

Photo by: David Dermer

Flashes Fall Short in Friday's Pitchers Duel

4/1/2016 6:26:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Rallies late in the game fell short for Kent State (17-8, 2-2) in the series-opener with Western Michigan (8-15, 1-0), a game that had two highly-billed starters facing off.

Both starting pitchers struck out 11 batters each while two Broncos relievers and one Flash from the bullpen added in seven more to total 29 punch-outs on the day.

The Golden Flashes gave ace Eric Lauer a 1-0 lead to work with after the first inning on some great small ball tactics. Luke Burch led off the game with an infield single, Zach Beckner sacrificed him over with a bunt and Zarley Zalewski also singled to put runners on the corners. Zalewski then took off and stole second base while Burch sprinted home from third to beat the throw and score the game's first run.

The Broncos were able take a 3-1 lead in third on a trio of unearned runs when an error opened up the frame and a two-run homerun came later before a strikeout ended the damage. They scored another in the 4^th on a single and double to go up by three.

Kent State was able to plate a run in the 5^th on singles by Sam Hurt and Mason Mamarella before Western Michigan answered with another run in the 7^th to put its lead back to three.

Hurt singled again in the 7^th and Mamarella hit into a fielder's choice to begin a 2-run inning. Burch followed with a single up the middle before Beckner walked to load the bases. Zalewski came through with a sacrifice fly. Dylan Rosa then singled to center field to score Burch. But, a strikeout would end the threat and keep the game at 5-4.

Lauer lasted 6.2 innings with one earned run, five hits, three walks and 11 strikeouts. Zach Willeman filled in the final 2.1 innings with two hits and three strikeouts.

Hurt finished 3-for-3 at the plate with one walk and a run scored. Mamarella and Burch both went 2-for-4. Alex Miklos had the team's only hit for extra-bases, a double to lead off the 2^nd inning.

The two teams will be back at it on Saturday in a noon start at Schoonover Stadium.