Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Zalewski Blasts Flashes to 12th-Inning Walk Off Win
5/6/2016 10:57:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – One swing of the bat was all it took as Zarley Zalewski sailed a pitch over the left field wall in the 12th inning to give Kent State a 5-4 walk-off win on Friday night.
The Golden Flashes improve to 34-11 on the season and hold down their lead in the Mid-American Conference at 15-4. Buffalo falls to 14-27, 6-13.
Kent State looked to have the win solidified until Buffalo had some late action that cause the home team to pull out some heroics.
Scoring got started in the 1st as Luke Burch doubled to lead off the Flashes' offense and he scored later on a throwing error. It became a 3-0 lead when Conner Simonetti singled, stole a base and eventually came around on a hit by Reilly Hawkins. Later on, Mason Mamarella belted a double down the left field line to score Hawkins.
The Bulls turned the tables quickly as they took a 4-3 lead in the 8th. Base hits, free bases and a costly error allowed Buffalo to get in front.
But, the lead would not last long as Dylan Rosa led off the bottom of the inning with a triple and scored on a Simonetti single to tie the game at four runs each.
Kent State would not get another hit until Zalewski slammed his game-winner on a 1-0 count with two outs in the frame.
Tim Faix pitched phenomenally for the win. He threw the final two innings with no hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Eric Lauer went 6.0 shutout innings in the start with four hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Zach Spangler followed going 1.0 inning with two runs (one earned) and two hits. Zach Willeman filled in the other 3.0 frames with two runs, two hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
For the fifth game in a row, Luke Burch had a three-hit day, continuing to be a huge factor out of the Flashes' leadoff spot. Mamarella, Zalewski and Simonetti all added to Kent State's total of 12 with two hits each.
The two teams will have a quick turnaround as they will play at noon on Saturday.
