A team that has spent all winter practicing indoors will take some time getting used to fielding ground and fly balls, making long throws, hitting live pitchers and pitching off a dirt mound outside.

That was evident Saturday afternoon as Kent State (0-3) dropped its third straight game 8-1 and first series of the season to Virginia Tech at Brooks Field in Wilmington, N.C.

The Flashes, playing their second straight game without senior All-American George Roberts who left Friday’s first game with a hand injury, was only able to score one run despite 10 hits. That lone run came in the second inning when designated hitter Jason Bagoly tied the game at one by hitting a single into right field, scoring left fielder Alex Miklos.

Other than that, the day belonged to Virginia Tech. Combined with a solid outing from starting pitcher Brad Markey (1-0), the Hokies used their bats to keep the Flashes from mounting any kind of comeback.

Virginia Tech started the game scoring three runs in the first three innings. They would finish the game scoring eight runs on 13 hits with most of the damage stemming from a five-run sixth inning.

The Hokies’ Markey earned his first victory of the season while the Flashes’ Casey Wilson (0-1) received the loss.

Wilson finished the game throwing 5 1/3 innings allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits while striking out and walking two batters each.

His counterpart Markey held the Flashes offense in check. The junior right-hander tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits and striking out five batters without surrendering a walk.

The Flashes will look to rebound from the loss at noon Sunday when they finish weekend series against University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The game can be heard on the Golden Flashes iHeart radio channel.

Contact Kevin Battaglia at [email protected].