Bats Are Back, All Right!

Tuesday, April 24

Buffalo, NY

3:00

Kent State University

25-12

Canisius

21-15

Kent State

Canisius

Photo by: Bob Christy

4/24/2018 6:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Kent State pounds out double-digit runs for fifth time this month

By: Ty Linder

BUFFALO – Kent State responded in a big way on Wednesday afternoon.

After losing back-to-back games for just the second time this year, the Golden Flashes (25-12) took out some frustration in New York, bashing Canisius 10-1 at Demske Sports Complex. The win, coupled with KSU's 13-11 nod a couple weeks ago over the Golden Griffins, gave Kent State a season sweep. The sweep is Kent's fourth of the year, along with regular season sweeps of Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Pittsburgh.

Kent State wasted little time in jumping on top. Thanks to RBIs from Reilly Hawkins and Pete Schuler, the Golden Flashes moved out to a 5-0 lead at the end of three. Starting pitcher Ryan Lane, meanwhile, tossed three scoreless innings to start things off. The rookie right-hander pitched five innings to earn his second career win in three starts.

In the fourth, Tim DalPorto delivered a sacrifice fly, followed by a Greg Lewandoski RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-1, and the rout was on. KSU added two in the seventh and one in the eighth on another sacrifice fly, a bases-loaded walk and a ground out. Hawkins finished the game with a team-high three knocked in.

The Flashes' bullpen also got a shot in the arm with a terrific performance. The group of John Schreiber, Tyler Drabick, Jack Zimmerman and John Matthews combined to work the final four innings. The four didn't allow a run and struck out six.

KSU, which has shifted its scheduled game against Walsh from tomorrow (Apr. 25) to next Wednesday evening, will hit the road to resume conference play on Friday against Toledo.