Flashes Slug Past Western Michigan in Series Finale

Sunday, April 7

Kent, OH

12:30 p.m.

Kent State University

13-16, 0

Western Michigan University

8-20, 0

Western Michigan

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Flashes Slug Past Western Michigan in Series Finale

4/7/2019 5:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio –The Kent State University baseball team (13-6, 3-4 MAC) picked up its first Mid-American Conference series win of the season, slugging past Western Michigan (8-20, 2-5 MAC) 15-3 in the final game of the three-game series at Schoonover Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Flashes notched a season-high 17 hits on the day with five players recording multi-hit games.

"I thought it was a great day all around," Head Coach Jeff Duncan said. "Yesterday we talked about attacking the game a little more, and we did in all aspects today. I am really proud of the way the team bounced back after yesterday's tough loss."

The Flashes slugged seven-extra base hits while drawing seven walks and one hit batter to force six Western Michigan pitchers to the bump. Productive from top-to-bottom of the lineup, eight Flashes notched a hit on the day with eight players touching home plate and four batters recording multi-RBI games.

"We had some really good at-bats in the middle innings and we really got on-time for the fastball," Duncan added. "It was a big hit by Pete Schuler to get that three-run double and open us up. Kian O'Brien continues to do well and we saw a really big day out of Michael Turner. It was good to see."

Sophomore Michael Turner went 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and a walk, tallying three RBIs and two runs scored. Senior Kian O'Brien collected three hits and four RBIs with a home run and senior Pete Schuler added four RBIs and two runs scored on two hits and a walk. Junior Cam Touchette reached base five times, knocking three hits and walking twice while crossing the plate a team-high four times on the day. Redshirt sophomore also drew three walks and wore a pitch to reach base four times in the game, scoring three runs.

The Flashes worked from ahead Sunday afternoon, bouncing back from an 11-1 loss to the Broncos Saturday evening. Touchette drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the first inning and moved into scoring position on a bunt-single from Turner. O'Brien followed with a two-out double to score Touchette and give the Flashes a 1-0 lead early.

The Broncos managed a run in the top of the third and briefly took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Flashes poured on six runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the advantage, 7-2.

Junior Alex Ronnebaum sparked the rally, doubling to right field with one out. Carew then drew a two-out walk that forced a Bronco pitching change. Touchette juiced the bases with a single through the left side before Schuler crushed a three-run double to right-center field. Turner followed with a single up the middle to score Schuler and cause another Western Michigan pitching change. O'Brien quickly adjusted to the new arm on the mound, towering a two-run home run over the wall in left field, his fourth of the season.

Western Michigan tallied its third and final run in the top of the fifth, but the Flashes weren't done yet as Kent State added four runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings.

Carew and Touchette each walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning to bring a new WMU pitcher to the mound. Schuler collected his fourth home run of the day with a single to right. Turner loaded the bases with a walk before senior Pavin Parks slugged a two-RBI double to straight-away center field and the Broncos brought in the fifth pitcher of the day. Sophomore Greg Lewandoski rounded out the sixth with a sacrifice fly to right field.

A frame later, freshman Justin Kirby doubled and Carew was plunked to start another four-run inning. Touchette singled up the middle, scoring Kirby and Turner eventually knocked a two-run double to center field. After the Broncos entered their sixth and final pitcher, O'Brien recorded an RBI-single to bring the final score to 15-3.

"It started on the mound," Duncan explained. "I think Trevor Pittman threw really well. He kept them off balance and wiggled out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the meat of their order. He got two pop-ups, which was huge just to minimize a situation like that and the momentum started shifting our way. Luke Albright did a good job, giving up only one run against an offense like that. He threw really well and got better at the day went on."

Freshman Luke Albright (2-1) recorded the win on the mound for the Flashes, pitching 4.0 innings of relief. The Fishers, Ind. native held the Broncos to just one run on two hits while striking out five. Redshirt Freshman Trevor Pittman made his third start on the mound, tossing 4.0 innings and striking out three. Senior Pavin Parks transitioned from shortstop to close out the game on the bump with a strikeout.

On the weekend, O'Brien led the Kent State offense and went 7-for-12 with seven RBIs and two extra-base hits, scoring three runs.

Next up, the Flashes will travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for a midweek matchup at Canisius College on Tuesday, April 9 at 3 p.m.