Kent State University
Coastal Carolina University
Flashes Open 2022 Campaign At Coastal Carolina
2/17/2022 12:43:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- The Golden Flashes open up the 2022 season taking part in the Battle on the Beach hosted by Coastal Carolina.
The Flashes will play host Coastal Carolina on Friday at 4 p.m. in the season opener and on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the series finale. The middle game of the weekend will be a rematch from a fall ball series with West Virginia starting at 11 a.m.
Kent State was selected third in the Mid-American Conference in the pre-season coaches' poll. The Flashes grabbed two-first place votes and three tournament title votes as well. Kent State went 30-26 last season and 23-17 in the MAC, making it 22nd straight full seasons with 30 or more wins. The squad returns seven of its ten position players that started 20 or more games last year. Leading the charge is All-Region outfielder Collin Mathews who is joined by returning All-MAC teammates Justin Miknis and Michael McNamara.
On the mound, the Flashes bring back four pitchers who logged 45 innings or more. The Flashes probable starters this weekend will go beyond that scope of that group with Missouri State transfer Benjamin Cruikshank getting the ball on opening day, Collin Romel set to start on Saturday and freshman Rocco Bernadina slated for Sunday.
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers were also picked third in the Sun Belt pre-season poll. Junior shortstop Eric Brown was picked as the pre-season player of the year in the conference and the number one draft prospect. The Chants will be a bit of a wild card this weekend with 12 new transfers coming into the program and 15 transfers total. Coastal is scheduled to start one of their returners on Friday in Nick Parker. The senior right hander went 3-5 last season with a 5.16 era. On Sunday, Cal State Fullerton transfer Mike Knorr gets the start he struck out 42 in 46 innings.
West Virginia was picked eighth in a loaded Big-12. The Mountaineers went 25-27 last season and return 16 lettermen from last year including four regulars. Austin Davis was an All-Big 12 outfielder last year and is the leading returner. Kent State will likely see lefty Ben Hampton on Saturday, Hampton was a member of the Big-12 All-Freshman team last season.
Friday and Sunday's games against Coastal Carolina can be seen on ESPN +. Saturday's game with West Virginia will only have live stats available. Links for all three games can be found on the baseball schedule page.
Kent State stays on the road next weekend to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Friday night's game is slated for a 7:30 ET first pitch from Lubbock.
Season tickets for the Golden Flashes are on sale now and Kent State is slated for 26 home games in 2022. Take advantage of the season ticket package available now before it's too late!
