Kraus Throws Complete Game Shutout to Start MAC Tournament Play

Wednesday, May 24

Avon, OH

4:30 PM

Kent State University

36-16

University of Toledo

16-40

Toledo

Kent State

Photo by: Bob Christy

Kraus Throws Complete Game Shutout to Start MAC Tournament Play

5/24/2017 9:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

AVON, Ohio – Eli Kraus needed just 99 pitches to throw a complete game shutout on Wednesday to lead Kent State (36-16) to a 7-0 win over Toledo (16-40) in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament.

The Golden Flashes will now play the winner of the Ohio-Ball State game on Thursday at 8 p.m.

Kraus allowed just three hits in his impressive effort with one walk while striking out eight Rockets. 68 of his 99 pitches were thrown for strikes.

Kent State went up 1-0 in the third when Josh Hollander singled, Mason Mamarella was hit by a pitch then Luke Burch and Dylan Rosa earned back-to-back walks. Toledo was able to work out of the one-out, bases-loaded jam with a double play.

The Golden Flashes added another in the 5^th. Hollander started off the inning again with a single. After a base hit by Nick Kanavas put runners on the corners, Mamarella earned a RBI with a ground ball.

Up 2-0, Mamarella made a leaping catch in right center to rob what would have been a solo homerun and put the momentum entirely in Kent State's dugout.

The web gem led to a five-run seventh inning that would cap off the victory. With two outs, Hollander and Kanavas both singled before Mamarella picked up a RBI base hit. After Luke Burch also singled to load the bases, Dylan Rosa hit a grand slam clear over the left field wall, beyond the berm that runs along the outfield wall. The two-out rally made it a 7-0 game.

Hollander was perfect on the night with three hits in three at-bats and three runs scored. Kanavas went 2-for-3 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot.

Thursday's game will air on ESPN3. Stay tuned to @KentStBaseball on Twitter to find out who the Flashes will face.