Kent State University
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Western Michigan University
Flashes Welcome in Broncos on Senior Weekend
5/20/2021 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- Kent State will honor their 2021 senior class this weekend and welcome in the Western Michigan Broncos for a four-game series at Schoonover Stadium.
This senior class has won 101 games dating back to the start of the 2018 season, highlighted by the 2018 Mid-American Conference title. This class also defeated a pair of top-10 SEC teams, winning at #7 Arkansas in 2018 and defeating #2 Mississippi State this season.
ABOUT KENT STATE
The Golden Flashes are coming off a split of their four-game series with the Ball State Cardinals. The Flashes secured the split with a record-breaking 19-8 victory on Sunday. The 19 runs scored were the most since 2018 and the 22 hits were the most since 2013.
Cam Touchette produced the first six-for-six game for Kent State since 2013 and is the lone six-hit game in the MAC this season. Collin Mathews scored five runs also a Kent State first since 2013 and one of only three five-run games in the MAC this season.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
The two outfielders' big days will make for an enjoyable race over the season's final two weekends. Mathews currently leads the Golden Flashes with a .365 average and 57 hits on the season, Touchette currently owns a .361 average and has 56 hits. Both players are in the top-10 in both categories in the MAC.
COMIN' IN HOT
Justin Kirby, Justin Miknis and Michael McNamara all had at least seven hits last weekend and are looking to continue a strong close to the season. Kirby raised his batting average nearly fifty points last weekend with four multi-hit games. The junior had homers in both ends of Saturday's double header and closed the weekend with eight hits and six rbi.
Justin Miknis had the first two-homer game of the season for Kent State on Sunday and had a career high six driven in. He's now one of four Flashes with at least 30 rbi this year.
Michael McNamara is also part of the 30 rbi club and pushed his average north of .300 with an eight-hit series last weekend. The freshman scored eight runs and drove in six and now is third on the team in both categories.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos are in third place in the MAC after taking three-of-four from conference leading Central Michigan. WMU hits 294 as a team in MAC play and have a very balanced lineup. Six of their usual starters are hitting over 300, led by catcher Connor Charpring who is hitting 387 with 29 driven in against MAC opponents.
On the mound, the Broncos have pitched to a 6.37 team earned run average. Walks have been an issue, surrendering the third-most in the MAC with 145 free passes. Ryan Watt and Will Mullen have been strong out of the Broncos' pen and have pitched their way into the weekend rotation.
FOLLOW ALONG
All four games of the series will be streamed on Golden Flashes TV via Box Cast. Live stats will also be provided for each game, links can be found on the baseball schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Flashes wrap up the home schedule on Tuesday, welcoming in the Akron Zips for a midweek rivalry game. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
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