Kent State University
Northwestern University
Northwestern Wildcats Set to Visit Schoonover Stadium
3/14/2019 1:17:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State University baseball team (5-10) is set to host the Northwestern Wildcats (5-9) for a three-game series at Schoonover Stadium Friday and Saturday, March 15-16. Inclement weather predicted in Northeast Ohio caused the Flashes to rearrange the schedule, now hosting a double-header on Friday starting at 1 p.m. and a single-game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Last time out, the Flashes earned a 10-5 victory over Youngstown State in the 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 win.
Elsen has been explosive at the plate, hitting at a .412 clip with a 1.18 slugging percentage over the last four games. He's collected seven hits, including a double, a triple and three home runs. The Kenosha, Wis. Native launched two shots over the left field wall in the series finale, including a two-run home run clobbered 390 feet to the road beyond Monongalia County Ballpark. Scoring six runs and tallying six RBIs, Elsen has accounted for 12 of Kent State's 23 total runs in the last four games. On the season, he leads the team with a .551 slugging percentage.
On the season, Carew leads the Kent State offense with a .347 average, collecting 17 hits, nine RBIs and seven stolen bases. Senior Pete Schuler has ripped five doubles and a home run in his 15 hits for nine RBIs, while Parks has added two home runs, nine RBIs and nine runs scored.
The Kent State pitching staff has held opponents to a .236 average this season, striking out 117. Senior Connor Wollersheim has been the Friday starter in the last four series, allowing just three earned runs in 22.2 innings of work. He has maintained a 1.19 ERA while striking out at least six batters in each appearance for a total of 26. Most recently, the lefty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning at West Virginia, striking out six and allowing just one hit in 5.0 innings of work.
Northwestern
Northwestern has started the season 5-9 and ranks No. 58 in the NCAA RPI. Last time out, the Wildcats shut out MacMurray 9-0 with three pitchers combining for a one-hitter.
The Wildcats have not been shut out so far this season and is batting .256 through the first 14 games, tallying 68 runs on 125 hits including five home runs. Redshirt freshman David Dunn leads the team with a .365 average and 14 hits. Sophomore Casey O'Laughlin is Northwestern's top slugger, knocking two home runs and two doubles in his 10 hits.
Northwestern pitching has held its opponents to a .270 average, striking out 110. Freshman Parker Hanks (2-0) leads the battery with two victories in five appearances, including the one-hit win in 5.0 innings against MacMurray.
Friday will mark the third time the two programs will meet with the all-time series tied at 1-1. The Flashes picked up a 5-1 win in the last meeting 14 years ago.
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.
