Going into the seventh inning of Kent State’s midweek matchup against Canisius College, the Flashes’ offense was in need of a spark. The Eagles managed to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth to knot the score up at five, and shift the momentum their way. That all changed in the top of the seventh, however, as junior pinch hitter Brad Hamilton hit a three-run home to give the Flashes (28-13) a 8-5 lead, the margin they would go on to win by. 

Hamilton’s home run wasn’t the only one hit by the Flashes, as freshman designated hitter Patrick Ferguson clubbed a two-run home run in the second inning to put Kent State up 2-1. The Griffins (26-18) scored their first run on a RBI single by senior Christ Conley, who was then thrown out at home in the next at-bat. 

The Flashes’ offense came alive once again in the fourth inning when senior Luke Burch followed up junior Nick Kanavas’ single with a bunt that brought home two runs thanks to an error, a play that gave Kent State a 5-2. 

The Griffins scored one run in the fifth and then two in the sixth, which was capped off by an RBI single by junior Ryan Stekl.

Freshman Carson Perkins started the game for the Griffins and surrendered four runs in three innings of work before being lifted.

Sophomore Connor Wollersheim started for the Flashes, giving up two runs (one earned) in three innings of work. Five pitchers then combined to complete the game, with senior Patrick Dayton (win, 2-0) taking home the victory, and senior Robert Zeigler picking up the save.

The Flashes will be back in action this Friday when they take on Eastern Michigan University.  

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].