Kent State pitchers combine for shutout extra innings win over Toledo

Nick Buzzelli

It took 15 innings to score one run in the Kent State baseball team’s series opener against University of Toledo Friday night. But that one run, which was unearned, was all it took to pick up the program’s third consecutive victory.

With one out in the bottom of the 15th inning, senior catcher Tim DalPorto reached base on a fielding error on Toledo shortstop Matt Hansen, which enabled outfielder Mason Mamarella to score from third and gave Kent State (22-12, 8-2 Mid-American Conference) the walk off win, 1-0, over Mid-American Conference foe Toledo (14-24, 7-6 MAC) at Schoonover Stadium.

Junior Eli Kraus, the Golden Flashes’ starter, pithed nine innings, surrendering seven hits while striking out eight before being pulled in the top of the 10th by manager Jeff Duncan in favor of the bullpen.

Junior Patrick Dayton, junior Zach Spangler and junior Robert Zeigler — the three Kent State relievers used — pitched a combined six innings of scoreless baseball en route to the win.

Despite being outhit 11-5, and stranding 12 on base, the Flashes were able to secure the victory because of the Rockets’ three errors — two of which came in the final frame.

Defensively, DalPorto led Kent State with a 13 putouts while junior Dylan Rosa recorded 12 from his position at first base.

Kent State and Toledo continue the three-game series tomorrow at 4 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. before the Flashes play Bowling Green State University in a midweek contest that doesn’t count toward conference standings Tuesday night at home.

Nick Buzzelli is a sports reporter, contact him at [email protected].