Kent State Baseball Dips Out of the MAC Tournament

Thursday, May 23

Avon, Ohio

10:00 a.m.

Kent State University

30-24

Miami University (OH)

37-18

Miami

Kent State

Photo by: Scott R. Galvin/Galvin Photo, LLC

Kent State Baseball Dips Out of the MAC Tournament

5/23/2019 2:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

AVON, Ohio – The Kent State University baseball team (30-24, 14-8 MAC) dipped out of the Mid-American Conference in two games, falling to No. 4 Miami (37-18, 15-11 MAC) 8-5 in the first elimination game at Sprenger Stadium Thursday morning.

"It was a tough game," Head Coach Jeff Duncan said. "I thought we had a really good plan on their starter (Freshman Sam Bachman). We got his pitch count up, but he's good. We had bases loaded twice with one out and we left 13 runners on. We just weren't able to get a timely hit today, and that's why we are done."

The volatile Kent State offense was quieted for the second day in a row, as the Flashes scattered just seven hits and left 13 men on base on the day. Seniors Kian O'Brien and Pavin Parks led the Blue and Gold as Parks collected a pair of hits and O'Brien added two RBIs and a base hit. Redshirt sophomore Ben Carew's 19-game hitting streak came to an end, however he reached base for the 35^thstraight game and scored a run.

The Flashes took an early 1-0 lead, capitalizing on a leadoff walk by Carew. Senior Kian O'Brien recorded his third RBI of the MAC Tournament, driving a double down the left field line.

The RedHawks snapped their 23-inning scoreless streak at Sprenger Stadium dating back to last season in the top of the third, taking a 3-1 lead on three hits.

Kent State immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning as Turner belted his fourth home run of the year opposite field to left to bring the Flashes within one run.

The Flashes made it a brand-new ballgame in the bottom of the fifth inning as senior Pete Schuler drew a key bases-loaded walk after Touchette doubled and both O'Brien and Kirby were plunked.

Miami quickly regained the lead, sending back-to-back solo shots over the wall in right field to go ahead 5-3 in the top of the sixth.

Despite loading the bases with less than two outs for the second time in the bottom of the sixth, the Flashes managed just one run as O'Brien was plunked following three walks that filled the bases to bring the score to 5-4.

The RedHawks went on to plate two runs in the top of the seventh inning and one in the top of the ninth before the Flashes would add a run on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter sophomore Nick Elsen in the bottom of the ninth, bringing the final score to 8-5.

Junior John Matthews (7-6) took the loss in his first start since April 20, working out of the bullpen in his last five appearances and earning four wins. The Punxsutawney, Pa. native worked 6.1 innings, striking out three and exiting the game with in a 5-4 deficit and a runner on base. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Drabick added 2.0 innings of work with three punch outs and Parks transitioned to the mound from shortstop to finish the game. As a staff, Kent State surrendered 10 hits with three home runs on the day to the RedHawks.

"This program is built on championships and we've won a lot over the last five years," Duncan added. "We came up short on that this season, but I think we grew a lot through some adversity this year. We just need to continue to keep growing. We had a lot of young guys playing on a daily basis and it has been good experience to build on. It's too bad, unfortunately, for our seniors to go out this way. They were a good group. They had a great culture and they kept everything together and I appreciate all of the work and dedication they put in."

The Flashes end their season with an overall record of 30-24, marking the 21^stconsecutive season that Kent State has won 30 or more games and just the second season in Duncan's tenure in which KSU has not won either a MAC regular season or tournament title.