Kent State University
Tennessee Tech University
Baseball Welcomes in Tennessee Tech for Weekend Series
2/26/2021 12:20:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- Due to inclement weather and poor field conditions at Tennessee Tech, this weekend's three-game slate with the Golden Eagles has been moved to Kent State.
Due to the quick turnaround, the three-game series will be closed except for team and game-day personnel.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE
The last time that the Golden Flashes hosted a regular-season baseball game was 655 days ago, when the Flashes lost 7-5 to Wright State on May 14, 2019.
February 27th is the earliest in the season that the Flashes will host a home opener. The earliest in the last 10 years was March 12, 2019 in a win over Youngstown State.
ABOUT THE FLASHES
Nature played a factor in last weekend as well for the Golden Flashes as Friday and Saturday's games at Virginia Tech were snowed out. The weather cooperated enough to get two in on Sunday, but the Hokies prevailed 3-1 in the opener and 9-2 in the nightcap.
Justin Miknis led the offense with a pair of multi-hit games. The red-shirt freshman singled in his first collegiate at-bat and drove in the lone run in game one with a double.
Ben Carew picked up three hits over the opening weekend, including two in the finale. That is his 34th multi-hit game dating back to 2019.
Kent State banged out four extra-base hits on Sunday, but couldn't get the timely hit, going 2-16 with runners in scoring position.
Luke Albright started the season strong, with five solid innings against the Hokies. Albright allowed two earned runs and just one hit in his five innings of work, striking out seven. He did have an uncharacteristic three walks, two of which came around to score.
Ryan Lane pitched in relief in game two on Sunday, throwing three innings of shutout ball. Lane allowed just one free pass and struck out three, the righty is slated to see the mound over the weekend.
ABOUT TENNESSEE TECH
Former Baylor head coach Steve Smith is at the helm of the Golden Eagles and is in his second season. He inherited a team headlined by outfielder Jason Hinchman. The junior was named a pre-season All-American and the OVC Preseason Player of the Year. In the shortened 2020 season, Hinchman hit an absurd .414 with six homers and 13 driven in, playing just 15 games. In his first full season, Hinchman led the NCAA with 24 homers in 2019.
On the mound, the Golden Eagles got a strong relief performance from Connor Adams. The lefty threw five innings of relief, allowing just one run and striking out eight. Right hander Tyler Sylvester added four innings of one-run ball as well, striking out four along the way. Both pitchers figure to see a start over the weekend.
FOLLOW ALONG
The three-game series will be streamed via Box Cast. Coverage will start approximately 10 minutes before each game. Live stats will also be provided, links are available atop this article and on the baseball schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Flashes head back on the road next weekend, going to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a three-game series. First pitch on Friday is set for 3 p.m.
