Flashes Move to 4-0 Against the Big Ten with Extra-Inning Victory at Indiana

Wednesday, March 27

Bloomington, IN

5:00 p.m.

Kent State University

10-13

Indiana University

15-9

Kent State

Indiana

Flashes Move to 4-0 Against the Big Ten with Extra-Inning Victory at Indiana

3/27/2019 11:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Kent State University baseball team (10-13, 1-2 MAC) topped Indiana (15-9, 0-0 Big Ten) 9-8 in a 12-inning decision at Burt Kaufman Field in Bloomington, Ind. Wednesday evening, improving to 4-0 against the Big Ten and snapping Indiana's eight-game winning streak. Senior Pavin Parks recorded the win on the mound for the Flashes, closing out the game with 4.2 innings of work with eight strikeouts while also scoring three runs to lead the Kent State offense.

The game was tied three times over 12 innings, but the Flashes never allowed Indiana to take the lead.

Kent State capitalized on six Indiana defensive errors, tallying eight hits, 12 walks and four hit batters on the night. The Flashes threatened with a runner on base in nearly every inning, putting the lead-off batter on base seven times on three walks, two hit batters, an error and a double for the Flashes. Freshman Justin Kirby recorded his third multi-hit game this season, going 2-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Flashes struck first, capitalizing on Hoosier errors and scoring four runs in the top of the second inning. Parks and Sophomore Greg Lewandoski each reached on errors and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Senior Josh Hollander put up the first run, legging out a bunt to score Parks. Redshirt sophomore Kevin Dobos followed with another bunt that was misplayed by the Indiana pitcher, scoring Lewandoski. Junior Cam Touchette rounded out the inning with a two-run double to right-center field.

The Hoosiers responded with two runs in the bottom of the second inning and tied the game in the fourth, taking advantage of Kent State miscues and scoring two runs.

The tie remained until the top of the seventh inning, when the Flashes regained the lead. Freshman Justin Kirby led off the frame with a double to left field. Kirby moved up on a ground ball and eventually scored on a Hoosier fielding error.

The Hoosiers clawed their way back with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie it back at 6-6. The score remained through the ninth inning as Parks moved to the mound for the Flashes and closed the door on the Hoosiers, sending the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eleventh inning, Parks led off with a walk and senior Kian O'Brien took a free base, wearing a pitch. Both runners advanced on a balk, putting runners at second and third. With two outs, Indiana opted to intentionally walk freshman Grant Vera to load the bases for Dobos, who singled through the left side to score O'Brien. Touchette followed with an RBI, getting pegged with a pitch with bases loaded and bringing the score to 8-6, Flashes.

The Hoosiers tied the game for the third time of the night, 8-8, launching a two-run home run to straightaway center field.

In the next frame, the Flashes took the lead for the fourth time of the evening. Parks drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a walk by O'Brien. Parks and O'Brien advanced a base on a wild pitch and Parks eventually scored on a passed ball to bring the score to 9-8.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Pittman made his second career start, spinning a gem for 5.0 innings. Exiting the game in the sixth inning with the game tied at 4-4, the rookie allowed just two earned runs while striking out five. Junior Zach Schultz and sophomore Jack Zimmerman each made appearances in middle relief before Parks transitioned to the mound from his starting second base position in the eighth inning.

The Flashes will be back on the ball field Friday through Sunday, March 29-31, rounding out the five-game road trip with a three-game conference series at Ball State.