Kent State University
Toledo
Flashes Host Rockets for Big Weekend Conference Series
3/30/2023 1:37:00 PM | Baseball
KENT- The Golden Flashes return to the friendly confines of Schoonover Stadium for a key three-game conference series with the Toledo Rockets.
 The Flashes enter the series at 4-2 in MAC play, currently tied for second with Central Michigan. Toledo is right behind the Flashes at 5-4 in conference play.
Kent Sate dropped two of three to Central Michigan in what felt like a playoff series and a tough 4-3 decision at Indiana on Tuesday. They sit at 16-7 overall on the season entering the weekend. Home has been very friendly to the Flashes, they are a perfect 8-0 on the season at Schoonover Stadium.
Aidan Longwell continues to lead a balanced offense, hitting .404 on the season and leading the MAC with 40 RBI. He is one of 10 different Golden Flashes with at least 12 RBI this season. They will take their swings against a Rocket staff that has thrown to a 6.44 ERA in league play but has five relievers with a sub-3.00 earned run average this season.Â
The Rockets have slugged their way to 12 wins this season as their 41 homers are tops in the MAC and top-25 in the NCAA. Owen Jackson leads the team with 10 round trippers but Garrett Pike has been a formidable bat in the lineup and is second only to Longwell with 34 RBI this season. Pre-season MAC Player of the Year, Jeron Williams has lived up to the hype, he's hitting .476 in league play and has a 31-game hitting streak entering the weekend.
The lefty trio of Ben Cruikshank, Joe Whitman and Eric Chalus have been strong starters this season. Both Cruikshank and Whitman have been named Pitchers of the Week and Chalus has allowed two earned runs over his last 11.1 innings. Mitchell Scott has been excellent out of the pen this season and has held MAC foes to a .079 batting average against in his three outings.
This weekend's series will be streamed free of charge and live stats will be provided. Links to watch and follow along are available on the baseball schedule page.
Friday's game has been moved up to 4 p.m. due to Friday night's forecast. Saturday's and Sunday's game time may also change depending on the weather. Please follow Kent State Baseball on social media for updates to the schedule.
Kent State will be back in action on Tuesday night, heading to Columbus to face Ohio State. First pitch against the Buckeyes is set for 6 p.m.
