Kent State Baseball Takes First Game Of Key MAC East Series Against Miami
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State baseball team scored three runs in both the fourth and sixth innings and held on for a key Mid-American Conference East Division victory over Miami, 8-6, today (May 6) at Olga A. Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.
The Golden Flashes (31-12, 16-3 MAC) won their eighth straight game and ran their home record to 12-1 this season, maintaining their position as the frontrunner for the conference regular season title.
"Winning on Friday is big, as is extending our lead in the conference," said seventh-year head coach Scott Stricklin. "It was a good win for us. "
Senior right fielder Ben Klafczynski (Granger Township, Ohio) led Kent State's offense with three hits while junior shortstop Jimmy Rider (Venetia, Pa.) and freshman second baseman Derek Toadvine (Springfield, Ohio) chipped in two hits apiece. Kent State won despite being outhit by Miami (26-19, 13-6 MAC), 13-12.
Redshirt junior left-hander Andrew Chafin (Wakeman, Ohio) came out of the bullpen for Kent State and struck out four over four frames, allowing three earned runs on seven hits en route to improving his pitching record to 5-1. Chafin relieved junior right-handed starter Ryan Mace (Tallmadge, Ohio), who fanned six while allowing three runs – two of them earned – over 4.2 innings. Junior right-handed closer Kyle McMillen (North Canton, Ohio) picked up his 14th save of 2011 after inducing the final out of the contest.
Kent State landed the first punch in the bottom of the first. Rider cracked a one-out single up the middle to get things started. Klafczynski singled to center one out later. Miami could not track down the ball in the outfield, allowing Rider to scamper home.
Miami struck back in the top of the second when senior catcher Adam Weisenburger sent a leadoff home run over the left field wall.
The RedHawks took the lead in the third. Senior second baseman Jon Edgington and junior center fielder Ryan Brenner smacked back-to-back one-out singles. Mace struck out senior third baseman Brad Gschwind, but Edgington stole second and then scored on a throwing error to put Miami in front.
The Flashes snatched the lead back with three scores in the bottom of the fourth. Klafczynski got things rolling with a leadoff double to right. He advanced to third two outs later on a wild pitch. Sophomore first baseman George Roberts (Summerhill, Pa.) coaxed a four-pitch walk to put runners on the corners for Kent State. Redshirt sophomore left fielder Joe Koch (Youngstown, Ohio) plated Klafczynski with a two bagger to left. Toadvine brought in Roberts with a base hit to left. The RedHawks fumbled around with the ball in the outfield again, allowing Koch to scamper home on the play and give the hosts a 4-2 lead.
Miami cut Kent State's lead back to one when Brenner reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a single up the middle by senior first baseman Kyle Weldon.
Kent Sate extended its lead to four runs thanks to one swing of the bat by Toadvine in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman designated hitter T.J. Sutton (Uniontown, Ohio) smacked a leadoff double to right center, and Koch followed one out later by drawing a walk to set the table for Toadvine's three-run blast over the wall in left center – the first round tripper of his collegiate career.
"In my first at-bat, the pitcher fooled me with a breaking pitch and made me look bad," said Toadvine. "(Assistant) Coach (Scott) Daeley told me to look for a fastball. I was just sitting on the fast ball, and it happened."
The Golden Flashes made it a five-run affair in the seventh when Klafczynski led off with a base hit to left and scored on a triple to center by junior catcher David Lyon (Emporium, Pa.).
The RedHawks did not go quietly, however, plating three runs in the top of the ninth. McMillen came on to force a fly out to center, though, to seal the key conference win for the Flashes.
Kent State searches for its third straight MAC East series win Saturday (May 7). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Senior left-handed starter Kyle Hallock (Sandusky, Ohio) will be going for a team-best eighth pitching victory of the season.
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KENT, Ohio – The Kent State baseball team scored three runs in both the fourth and sixth innings and held on for a key Mid-American Conference East Division victory over Miami today (May 6) at Olga A. Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.
The Golden Flashes (31-12, 16-3 MAC) won its eighth straight game and ran its home record to 12-1 this season, maintaining its position as the frontrunner for the conference regular season title.
"Winning on Friday is big, as is extending our lead in the conference," said seventh-year head coach Scott Stricklin. "It was a good win for us. "
Senior right fielder Ben Klafczynski (Granger Township, Ohio) led Kent State's offense with three hits while junior shortstop Jimmy Rider (Venetia, Pa.) and freshman second baseman Derek Toadvine (Springfield, Ohio) chipped in two hits apiece. Kent State won despite being outhit by Miami (26-19, 13-6 MAC), 13-12.
Redshirt junior left-hander Andrew Chafin (Wakeman, Ohio) came out of the bullpen for Kent State and struck out four over four frames, allowing three earned runs on seven hits en route to improving his pitching record to 5-1. Chafin relieved junior right-handed starter Ryan Mace (Tallmadge, Ohio), who fanned six while allowing three runs – two of them earned – over 4.2 innings. Junior right-handed closer Kyle McMillen (North Canton, Ohio) picked up his 14th save of 2011 after inducing the final out of the contest.
Kent State landed the first punch in the bottom of the first. Rider cracked a one-out single up the middle to get things started. Klafczynski singled to center one out later. Miami could not track down the ball in the outfield, allowing Rider to scamper home.
Miami struck back in the top of the second when senior catcher Adam Weisenburger sent a leadoff home run over the left field wall.
The RedHawks took the lead in the third. Senior second baseman Jon Edgington and junior center fielder Ryan Brenner smacked back-to-back one-out singles. Mace struck out senior third baseman Brad Gschwind, but Edgington stole second and then scored on a throwing error to put Miami in front.
The Flashes snatched the lead back with three scores in the bottom of the fourth. Klafczynski got things rolling with a leadoff double to right. He advanced to third two outs later on a wild pitch. Sophomore first baseman George Roberts (Summerhill, Pa.) coaxed a four-pitch walk to put runners on the corners for Kent State. Redshirt sophomore left fielder Joe Koch (Youngstown, Ohio) plated Klafczynski with a two bagger to left. Toadvine brought in Roberts with a base hit to left. The RedHawks fumbled around with the ball in the outfield again, allowing Koch to scamper home on the play and give the hosts a 4-2 lead.
Miami cut Kent State's lead back to one when Brenner reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a single up the middle by senior first baseman Kyle Weldon.
Kent Sate extended its lead to four runs thanks to one swing of the bat by Toadvine in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman designated hitter T.J. Sutton (Uniontown, Ohio) smacked a leadoff double to right center, and Koch followed one out later by drawing a walk to set the table for Toadvine's three-run blast over the wall in left center – the first round tripper of his collegiate career.
"In my first at-bat, the pitcher fooled me with a breaking pitch and made me look bad," said Toadvine. "(Assistant) Coach (Scott) Daeley told me to look for a fastball. I was just sitting on the fast ball, and it happened."
The Golden Flashes made it a five-run affair in the seventh when Klafczynski led off with a base hit to left and scored on a triple to center by junior catcher David Lyon (Emporium, Pa.).
The RedHawks did not go quietly, however, plating three runs in the top of the ninth. McMillen came on to force a fly out to center, though, to seal the key conference win for the Flashes.
Kent State searches for its third straight MAC East series win Saturday (May 7). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Senior left-handed starter Kyle Hallock (Sandusky, Ohio) will be going for a team-best eighth pitching victory of the season.
