Kent State University
Charlotte
Flashes Conclude Southern Road Trip at Charlotte
2/28/2019 3:10:00 PM | Baseball
*For consistency throughout the season, team rankings are based on the D1Baseball.com Top 25 Poll. This week, No. 20 Coastal Carolina is also ranked No. 11 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 19 by NCBWA and No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. NC State is also ranked No. 10 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Kent State University baseball team (3-5) looks to continue its three-game winning streak, concluding its Southern road trip with a three-game series at Charlotte (4-4) this Friday through Sunday, March 1-3. The games will be played at Hayes Stadium and are scheduled for 3:00, 1:00 and 12:00 p.m., respectively.
The Flashes have won three in a row heading into the weekend. Kent State started the 2019 campaign 0-5 against opponents that made deep post season runs in 2018, but have grabbed wins against Michigan State, Charleston Southern, and The Citadel since.
The Kent State offense notched at least 10 hits in the last four games, including 10 hits against No. 20 Coastal Carolina and 14 hits in a win at The Citadel on Wednesday. Redshirt sophomore Ben Carew leads the Flashes with a .500 batting average, .591 slugging percentage, and a .522 on-base percentage. He has knocked a team-high 11 hits with two doubles and six RBIs, while junior Cam Touchette has added nine hits and 11 RBIs.
While the bats have fired up over as the season has progressed, the Flashes have been patient at the plate, taking 30 free passes on the season. Walks were pivotal in Kent State's win over Michigan State as the Flashes collected a season-high free bases that led to big innings. Kent State also drew seven walks the last time out at The Citadel.
Through the first eight games of the season, the Kent State pitching staff has kept opponents to just a .247 batting average and has combined for 70 strikeouts. Senior Connor Wollersheim (0-1) has been the Friday starter to start this season, maintaining a 0.77 ERA and striking out 14 through 11.2 innings of work.
Charlotte
Charlotte has opened the 2019 slate 4-4, dropping the last three games. The 49ers have not been shut out through the first eight games of the season, averaging more than four runs and eight hits a game.
Charlotte pitching has held their opponents to just a .248 average, but have allowed eight home runs and twelve extra-base hits. The 49ers have struck out 70 batters while walking 24 and hitting 16 batters through the first eight games. The Niners lead Conference USA on defense with a .986 fielding percentage.
Kent State leads the all-time series 6-2 with all eight games played on the road. The Flashes swept the Niners in a three-game set at Hayes Stadium in 2016 and have won the last five-straight meetings.
The 2019 Kent State Baseball Season is brought to you by Hometown Bank. Hometown Bank and Kent State Baseball – A Winning Team. There's no place like home.
