The last time Kent State and the University of Pittsburgh faced off, the Panthers put a 9-4 beating on the Flashes, ultimately ruining their opening day.

Following a seven-run outburst in the eighth inning against Lake Erie College, there was some hope that it would be the Flashes’ turn to put up some runs on the Panthers in their home turf. However, that didn’t happen.

The Panthers used a seven-run second inning against freshman Joe Murray, who allowed six of those seven runs in the inning. An 8-2 game after the second inning grew to be a 10-2 lead in the fourth and by the seventh Pittsburgh held a 13-3 lead. 

Murray’s control was in question from the start, after he walked four and allowed five hits, with two of them being long-balls. A Kent State pitcher walking a Pittsburgh batter hasn’t been uncommon this season, as the Flashes walked 14 Panther batters earlier this month.

The only bright spot for the Flashes in the contest was junior left fielder Conner Simonetti, who went yard for the third time this season. Simonetti went two for four on the day, with two runs batted in, scoring one himself.

The Flashes have a quick turnaround now after playing back-to-back games as Western Michigan University comes to Kent on Friday for the Flashes’ first home conference series.

Western Michigan has recently lost back-to-back games, compiling a 7-15 overall record.

First pitch is scheduled at 6 p.m.

Zach Harley is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].