Rosa's Big Bat Leads Flashes to 9-7 Victory

Saturday, April 2

Kent, OH

12:00 PM

Kent State University

18-8, 3-2

Western Michigan University

8-16, 1-1

Western Michigan

Kent State

Rosa's Big Bat Leads Flashes to 9-7 Victory

4/2/2016 4:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Two varieties of homeruns, a double, four RBI and three runs scored from Dylan Rosa propelled Kent State (18-8, 3-2) to a resilient 9-7 win against Western Michigan (8-16, 1-1) to even the series on Saturday.

The Golden Flashes notched a run in all but two innings and were able to produce late in the game to pull off the victory.

The Broncos had a short lead with a run in the 1^st on a doubles and single. The Flashes replied with two in the bottom of the inning when Luke Burch led off with a double, moved on a flyout and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rosa. Zarley Zalewski was also on base after a walk and scored easily when Pete Schuler ripped a triple down the left field line.

In the 2^nd, Sam Hurt led off with a double, was moved over on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Mamarella and scored on a groundout. In the 3^rd after Western Michigan plated two in the top of the frame, Kent State broke the tie when Rosa walked, Schuler was hit and Brad Hamilton walked to load the bases, allowing Conner Simonetti to pick up an RBI on a flyout to center.

The home team added two runs to their 4-3 lead in the 4^th. Zach Beckner led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a flyout. Rosa then smacked a shot to the wall in center then motored around the bases for an inside-the-park homerun, the second of his career.

That lead would not stand, as the Broncos answered back with a three-run 6^th to tie the game at six runs apiece. They took the lead during the next frame on an unearned run.

But, two runs in the bottom of the 7^th put Kent State back in front. Simonetti was hit by a pitch before Sam Hurt and Mason Mamarella slapped base hits up the middle to bring Simonetti home. A sacrifice bunt from Luke Burch moved the runners over, allowing Hurt to score on a sacrifice fly by Beckner during the next at-bat.

Rosa had his biggest blow of the game in the 8^th when he smashed an absolute no-doubter over the left-center wall to make the game 9-7.

Zach Spangler cruised through the 9^th inning, throwing five pitches to earn his first save of the season in 1.1 innings of work. Tim Faix was awarded the win as he through 1.2 shutout innings with one hit and one walk; a double play ball that started with a web gem from Rosa helped keep Faix's line intact. Andy Ravel had a no decision in the start. He went 5.1 innings with six runs, seven hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. Eli Martin filled in the remaining 0.2 frames with one hit and one walk.

Rosa was the clear offensive leader of the day as he finished 3-for-3 with a walk and sacrifice added in. Hurt picked up two hits to add in to the Flashes' total of ten.

The rubber match of the series will be played on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium.