The Kent State baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Kennesaw State on Friday and lost a chance to even the series when officials canceled the final two games yesterday because of rain.

The Flashes (8-4) lost by one run in both games Friday, falling 3-2 to the Owls in the first half of the doubleheader and 7-6 in the second match.

Kent State manager Scott Stricklin said he had hoped the team would be able to play the final two games after making the trip to Kennesaw, Ga.

“(We were) very disappointed,” Stricklin said. “It’s a long way to travel just to play two games. It’s been a long four weeks.”

The Flashes lost the first game to the Owls 3-2 despite a three-hit game by senior right fielder Jason Patton and two hits from junior center fielder Jared Humphreys. The Flashes’ pitching staff gave up eight walks and six hits in the game.

Kent State recorded 12 hits in the second game against Kennesaw State, including three each from Humphreys and senior designated hitter Greg Rohan, but lost to an Owls team that had eight hits in the game.

The Kent State pitching staff struggled with its control again in the second game, giving up nine more walks.

Stricklin said he thought the team walked too many batters in the series, but pitched well when Kennesaw State had runners on base.

“I thought the pitching staff threw well,” Stricklin said. “We walked too many guys. It’s remarkable they only scored 10 runs with the amount of guys we put on base.”

Junior pitcher Jon Pokorny (0-2), who came on in relief for junior starting pitcher Brad Stillings, recorded the loss in game one after giving up one earned run in two innings of work. Sophomore pitcher Justin Gill (0-1) was tagged with the loss in game two after giving up one run in two innings of relief.

The series at Kennesaw State ended the Flashes’ 12-game season-opening road swing. The Flashes won eight games, but Stricklin said the team will be happy to return home to play Ashland on Tuesday.

“We’re looking forward to being home, playing in our home white uniforms,” Stricklin said.

Contact assistant sports editor Thomas Gallick at [email protected].