Olga A. Murray Field at Schoonover Stadium, home of the Kent State baseball team, has been sitting idle on the south side of campus through many months of snow, sleet and frigid temperatures during one of the harshest winters in recent memory.

The 8-8 Kent State baseball team has been riding out the weather and waiting for the chance to play as the home team again.

Now that it appears that the winter weather has finally subsided — or at least for the time being — Kent State will return home Wednesday afternoon to face the Youngstown State Penguins in the Flashes’ home opener.

The Flashes are coming off a close 3-2 loss against Michigan this past Sunday in the College of Charleston Tournament.

In that game, which Kent State head coach Jeff Duncan described to Kentstatesports.com as a “well-pitched game” by both teams. Kent State junior pitcher Brian Clark (1-4) started the game; he went six innings, allowing just one run in his sixth start this season. He also gave up just five hits and two walks and fanned three in arguably his best showing yet this season.

Kent State’s pitching seemed to be spot – on Sunday, but Michigan’s pitching proved to be just a little bit better.

The Wolverines’ starting pitcher, senior Keith Lehmann (2-0), went one inning longer than Clark, allowed two runs and only allowed four hits en route to his second win of the season.

Michigan’s bats also did a number on the Flashes, especially in the bottom of the seventh inning when Michigan reclaimed the lead, 3-2, after a single, fielder’s choice error and sacrifice fly.

In the ninth inning, junior outfielder Alex Miklos tried to ignite a late-game comeback rally with a leadoff double, but the Flashes could not muster enough hits to bring Miklos home from scoring position. The Wolverines held on to win 3-2.

The Youngstown State team, they’ll face, however, is really hurting this season. The Penguins are 2-13 thus far and are currently riding a four-game losing streak into Wednesday’s game.

The Penguins’ most recent loss came at the hands of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. In that game, the Panthers crushed Youngstown State 12-1.

Kent State hopes to capitalize on Youngstown State’s struggles and pull out a win in front of the hometown crowd for the first time this season.

 The Flashes are set to take the field at 3 p.m.

contact Richie Mulhall at [email protected].