Golden Flashes Victorious in Home Opener

Tuesday, March 12

Kent, OH

4:00 p.m.

Kent State University

5-10

Youngstown State University

0-14

Youngstown State

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

3/12/2019 9:17:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio –The Kent State University baseball team (5-10) picked up a 10-5 win over Youngstown State (0-14) in its home opener at Schoonover Stadium Tuesday evening. Sophomore Nick Elsen and senior Pavin Parks each launched home runs while redshirt sophomore Ben Carew went 3-for-5 at the plate in the victory.

"Today it was a good performance offensively," head coach Jeff Duncan said. "I thought Pete Schuler, Pavin Parks and Ben Carew did a great job and Nick Elsen had the big two-run home run. It's good to see us starting to drive the baseball and I think our guys are starting to get comfortable."

The Flashes took an early 6-0 lead over the Penguins in the first inning, scoring two runs on a double scorched off the bat of senior Pete Schuler. Kent State added four runs an inning later as Carew knocked a two-run double to center field and Schuler followed with his third RBI in two swings with a single to left field. Carew went on to score the fourth run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center field from junior Patrick Ferguson.

Youngstown State managed a run in the top of the third, but Parks came up with a home run in the bottom of the frame, blasting it over the wall in right-center field.

The score remained 7-1, Flashes until the bottom of the fourth inning when Carew scored on a wild pitch after driving a one-out double and stealing third.

The Penguins picked up a run in the top of the fifth and added two runs in the top of the seventh to bring the score to 8-4.

The Flashes extended the lead to 10-4 with a two-run home run by Elsen in the bottom of the seventh.

Youngstown State scored its final run of the game in the top of the eighth, bringing the final score to 10-5.

The Kent State offense notched eight hits and drew eight walks on the day. Carew led the Flashes going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base. Schuler also recorded a multi-hit game, collecting two hits, three RBIs, two walks and a run scored.

"It was good to be home," Duncan added, "I'm excited about practicing outside the next two days too. It will be really important for us since we haven't really been able to do that. It's good to get our feet wet before Northwestern comes."

The Flashes pitching staff split the game between five pitchers, combining for seven strikeouts and just two earned runs. Redshirt freshman Peyton Deats stepped to the mound in his first career start, tossing 3.0 innings and allowing just two hits. Freshman Max Rippl recorded his first career win, pitching 3.0 innings in relief and striking out three. Freshman Trevor Pittman, sophomore Jack Zimmerman, and Parks each made appearances out of the bullpen to close the game.

The Flashes will be back at Schoonover Stadium with a three-game series against Northwestern scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 15-16.