Mathews' Blast Secures Sunday Comeback Win

Sunday, April 23

Oxford, OH

1:00 PM

Kent State University

27-12, 13-5

Miami (OH)

13-29, 9-12

KSU

Miami

Photo by: Scott R. Galvin/Galvin Photo, LLC

Mathews' Blast Secures Sunday Comeback Win

4/23/2023 4:12:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

OXFORD-Collin Mathews hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth and the Flashes took the finale of the three-game set at Miami 9-8 on Sunday afternoon.

Kent State flipped the script on the RedHawks as they continually chipped away at an early Miami lead on Sunday. The home side scored three in the first and led 6-2 after three on Sunday.

The Flashes took advantage of 13 walks issued by Miami pitching, scoring three runs in the fourth without the benefit of a hit to close the gap to 6-5. In the seventh, the Flashes mounted a three-run, two-out rally to take its first lead of the game. A walk, infield single and error brought Mathews to the plate and the grad student beat out an infield single to bring the Flashes back within one at 7-6. Justin Miknis singled through the left side to tie the game and a Michael McNamara bases loaded walk gave Kent State the lead.

Miami answered back with a run in the eighth, but Jordan Kolenda limited the damage by inducing an inning-ending double play, setting up Mathews' ninth-inning heroics. The freshman righty retired Miami in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.

The victory moves Kent State to 27-12 overall and into a four-way tie atop the MAC standings at 13-5. The Flashes are back home for four-straight next week, beginning with Ohio State on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.