Kent State University
Akron
Johnson, Flashes Zip Up Sweep
5/12/2024 5:59:00 PM | Baseball
AKRON- Josh Johnson smacked two homers and drove in seven, leading the Flashes to a 13-8 Mother's Day win and a sweep of the rival Zips.
The senior started his banner day with a lead-off walk in the first and scoring the first of his four runs on a Kyle Jackson single. The Zips took its only lead of the game with a two-run bottom of the first. Johnson hit the first of his two homers in the second, a three-run blast to left to put Kent State up 4-2. It became 5-2 three batters later as Brody Williams doubled home Tim Orr. Akron rallied in the third, scoring a trio of runs, taking advantage of a Flashes' error to tie the game at 5. Johnson put the Flashes up for good with his second homer, a solo shot in the sixth to make it 6-5 Flashes.
Kent State broke it open with a five-run ninth. Lance MacDonald was hit by a pitch and Ripken Reese was walked, both with the bases loaded to bring home a pair of runs. Johnson then emptied the bases with a three-run triple to make it 13-6 Flashes. The Zips would plate two in the ninth before Peyton Cariaco came in to get the final out and his third save of the weekend.
The sweep moves Kent State to 26-23 on the season and 16-11 in conference play. They wrap up the regular season with a big three-game series with Ball State starting on Thursday night. First pitch from Schoonover Stadium is set for 3 p.m.
