Kent State University
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Western Michigan University
Flashes Wrap Road Slate at Western Michigan
5/12/2022 2:22:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- The Golden Flashes wrap up the road portion of the regular season this weekend with a trip to Kalamazoo to take on the Western Michigan Broncos.
It is a critical series for both teams as Kent State enters the weekend at 13-17 in MAC play, four games back of the final playoff spot with eight conference games remaining. Western Michigan is a half-game behind the Flashes at 13-18 in MAC play.
The two teams have similar stats through 30-plus league games. The Flashes have a narrow edge in team batting average, .300 to .295 and in team earned run average 6.04 to 6.77.
Josh Johnson has continued his breakout season, he leads the Golden Flashes in MAC average (.366) and ranks amongst the conference leaders in average, hits, rbi and steals in league play. Justin Kirby has supplied the power surge, ranking third in the MAC with nine dingers in league play. Western is led by one of the top prospects in the MAC in Connor Charping. The senior catcher leads the Broncos in hits, runs and steals in league play. Cade Sullivan has been the guy to drive Charping in most often, leading Western with 31 runs batted in during MAC play.
On the mound, Ben Cruikshank and Eric Chalus have headlined the Flashes' staff, both ranking amongst the leaders in earned run average and batting average against. Nick Crandall leads the Western Staff and has posted a 3.66 earned run average over 39 innings against MAC foes. The sophomore right-hander pitches to contact with only 18 strikeouts in those 39 innings.
All four games will be streamed this weekend free of charge through Bronco All-Access. Friday's first pitch will be at 2:05, Saturday's twin bill starts at 12:05 and Sunday's finale has a 1:05 first pitch. Live stats will also be available for all four games, links can be found on the baseball schedule page.
The Golden Flashes will wrap the regular season with a five-game homestand, with Georgia Tech and Eastern Michigan coming to town. The Yellow Jackets start the week with a Tuesday night, non-conference tilt. First pitch from Schoonover is set for 6 p.m.
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