Central Michigan ended Kent State’s 11-game winning streak with late inning rallies Friday and Sunday to take the weekend series, 2-1.

Despite losing the series, the Flashes (23-12 overall, 9-3 Mid-American Conference) led in the eighth inning two out of the three games. Justin Gill, senior relief pitcher and closer, took the loss in Friday’s game and junior closer Kyle McMillen took the loss Sunday.

Kent State coach Scott Stricklin said he still has plenty of trust in his two closers.

“The conditions were horrible this weekend. It was cold, windy and rainy… really not ideal conditions for anybody,” Stricklin said. “You lose a little (velocity) on your pitches. We’ll overcome it. We’ll get in those situations again and those guys are going to get the baseball again.”

Losing the series was the second year in a row the Flashes have lost a series to the Chippewas.

Friday — Central Michigan 2, Kent State 1

Regardless of sophomore Andrew Chafin’s near-perfect start, the Chippewas delivered the Flashes’ first loss in the month of April.

Chafin threw eight innings, gave up one run on four hits and struck out 13 while walking none.

“We thought he’d pile up some strikeouts because they’re a very aggressive team,” Stricklin said of the left-hander. “It was a tough day to pitch with the wind blowing all over the place. It says a lot about him and how tough he is.”

The wind finally won a battle against Chafin. With his team up 1-0 in the eighth, a fly ball off the bat of Central Michigan’s Sam Russell got caught in the wind and carried over Flashes senior right fielder Ben Klafczynski.

Russell reached second for his 16th double of the season. The Chippewas (18-18, 7-5 MAC) then benefited from a double to left field by pinch hitter Tom Howard to score Russell and tie the game at one.

Failing to score in the top of the ninth, the Flashes turned to Gill. Gill allowed the go-ahead-run to reach second base on a leadoff double. The Chippewas sacrificed their first out with a bunt. After striking out the following hitter for the second out, it appeared Gill would escape. Central Michigan’s Jordan Dean ruined that chance by hitting a single to center field that scored the game-winning run from third.

“It was a tough game to lose,” Stricklin said. “Chafin certainly deserved to win, and we had our opportunities. We just didn’t execute.”

Saturday — Kent State 9, Central Michigan 3

Senior starting pitcher Kyle Hallock earned his fifth win and the Flashes’ only win of the series Saturday, throwing seven innings, striking out seven, and allowing one run on eight hits.

“(Hallock) really performed well in tough surroundings,” Stricklin said. “The wind was really blowing, and it was raining. The conditions were not favorable for baseball today, and I thought our players played really well through that.”

Junior shortstop Jimmy Rider went two-for-four with a double, a run scored and three RBIs in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Freshman second baseman Derek Toadvine provided the offense from the bottom of the order, going two-for-five with a double, a run scored and two RBIs in the No. 9 hole.

Sophomore relief pitcher Casey Wilson relieved Hallock in the eighth inning and allowed no hits, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts.

“Overall with the circumstances, I thought we played very well,” Stricklin said. “We can always get better, but I was very pleased with the way we responded.”

Sunday — Central Michigan 5, Kent State 4

Central Michigan claimed the series after a come-from-behind win Sunday.

The Chippewas put together a two-run eighth-inning rally to ruin junior pitcher David Starn’s start.

After Starn’s six innings where he struck out 10, walked one and allowed three runs on eight hits, the Flashes turned to Gill.

Gill appeared in the seventh with the Flashes ahead 4-3. Gill allowed one hit in his first inning, but struggled in the eighth. He struck out Central Michigan’s first batter in the eighth, but a passed ball allowed the runner to advance to first.

The runner scored two batters later on a double down the right field line to tie the game. The Flashes turned to McMillen for the final two outs, and he allowed the go-ahead run before ending the inning.

The Flashes were unable to regain the lead in the top of the ninth.

Junior third baseman Travis Shaw led the Flashes offensively, going two-for-three at the plate with two home runs — a solo home run and a two-run home run. Shaw batted .364 on the weekend.

Contact A.J. Atkinson at [email protected].