Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Welcome in Broncos for Senior Weekend
5/4/2023 3:23:00 PM | Baseball
KENT-The Golden Flashes wrap up the regular season home slate this weekend, welcoming in the Western Michigan Broncos for a key three-game conference series.
Kent State saw its five-game win streak come to an end on Wednesday in a 7-5 setback at Michigan. They will return home to Schoonover Stadium where they are 19-1 and have won 11 straight and will look to keep that rolling against the Wolverines' neighbor to the west.
Western Michigan comes into the weekend winners of six-straight after sweeping both Bowling Green and Toledo. As a result, they have played their way into the four seed in the Mid-American Conference standings and at 13-7 in the MAC, a half-game ahead of the Ohio Bobcats. Cade Sullivan has been on an absolute heater for the Broncos, homering in each of his last five games and driving in 16 during the run. He's hitting .381 in MAC play, one of five Broncos north of .300 in conference.
On the mound, Western has pitched to a 5.64 ERA in conference play. Dane Armbrustmacher has led the starting staff, going 6-1 with a 4.30 ERA, the senior has gone at least six innings in all seven of his MAC starts. Brady Miller has also been solid and is a tick behind Armbrustmacher at 5-1 in conference play with 53 strikeouts in 43 innings.
The Flashes will honor an 11-player graduation class on Friday and a 10-player senior class on Sunday in pre-game ceremonies. On the field, Kent State will look to continue its stellar play at home and its four-game conference win streak. The Flashes' offensive strength has been balance with a team batting average at an even .300 in MAC play and getting on base at over a 40 percent clip. Collin Mathews is hitting .425 against MAC foes and freshman Kolton Schaller has been swinging a hot bat, homering in his last two games and owns a .387 MAC average.
On the mound, lefties Ben Cruikshank and Joe Whitman have been solid. Cruikshank is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. Whitman is 4-0 with a 3.25 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 36 innings, both in seven starts. The bullpen has four arms with an ERA under 1.30 and the staff as a whole has limited opponents to hit .237 off them.
Friday's game will have a pre-game happy hour from 5 to 6 for Cinco De Mayo with special concession deals. On Saturday, the Golden Flashes Club will host a Baseball and Bourbon event in the third base tent. Fans 21 and older can purchase a ticket to the event, which includes a game ticket, appetizers and your choice of a bourbon or wine tasting.
All three games will be streamed for free and live stats will be provided. Links to both are available on the baseball schedule page. The Flashes will make the short trip to Canal Park in Akron on Tuesday to take on the Akron Zips in a non-conference game against a conference rival. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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