Kent State University
Ohio State University
Flashes Host Buckeyes in Mid-Week Match-Up
5/3/2022 2:11:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- The Kent State Golden Flashes rekindle an in-state rivalry on Wednesday night, welcoming in the Ohio State Buckeyes to Schoonover Stadium for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
The two teams are meeting for the 51st time in history on Wednesday and the first time at Kent State since 2016. Ohio State leads the all-time series 35-15 but Kent State won the last meeting at Schoonover 8-3.
The Flashes come into the meeting at 17-22 overall after splitting the four-game Wagon Wheel series. Josh Johnson takes a seven-game hit streak into the game and has five multi-hit games during that span including all four outings against the Zips and now has a team-leading .366 batting average. Justin Kirby saw the ball incredibly well over the weekend, hitting a trio of homers, he now leads the club with 11 long balls and 23 extra base hits.
Ohio State comes in at 13-26 on the season and got swept by Rutgers over the weekend. The Buckeyes are hitting .271 as a team and average a tick over six runs per game. They are led on offense by Zach Dezenzo who leads the team with 12 homers and is tied with Kade Kern for the team lead with 37 rbi.
Wednesday night's pitching match-up should see a bullpen day for both teams. Kent State will see Caden Leonard make his first collegiate start. Leonard has a 1.80 earned run average through five appearances this season, he tossed a perfect inning of relief against Miami. Ohio State will counter with right-hander Aaron Funk. The Arkansas-Little Rock transfer is 0-2 in 10 appearances with two starts and a 7.32 earned run average.
The match-up with the Buckeyes opens a five-game home week for the Flashes. Kent State hosts league-leading Ball State this weekend in a pivotal four-game set. First pitch against the Cardinals is set for 6 p.m. on Friday night.
