Steve Ross throws a pitch during the game between Kent State and Pittsburgh at Schoonover Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Credit: Andrew popik

Duquesne couldn’t stop it and neither could Pittsburgh.

Heck, the only thing that could stop it was Mother Nature.

The “it” happens to be the Kent State offense, which finally came alive during the Flashes recent three-game winning streak.

As a matter of fact, junior catcher Todd Balduf compared hitting to a disease. He said hitting is contagious and hopes the whole team can catch on.

“Nobody has been hitting the past couple games,” he said. “Hopefully, we can keep this momentum into Bowling Green State University and turn it around.”

So far, his hopes look like they are being answered.

The Flashes (22-14, 4-6 Mid-American Conference) have outscored their last three opponents 28-16. The pinnacle of the offensive explosion seemed to be the final three innings of the Duquesne game.

The Flashes hit three home runs and scored nine runs in the final three innings. It’s an explosion that Kent State coach Scott Stricklin said he has been waiting for.

“We needed a spark, and the guys have done that,” he said. “Everyone I have put in the lineup seems to get a hit.”

Junior Drew Saylor continues to lead the team with a .386 batting average, but junior Joe Tucker has sparked the offense. Tucker had seven hits and five RBIs in the last two games. He is hitting .345 and leads the team with 37 runs scored.

The Flashes hope to carry their offensive explosion when they face MAC-rival Bowling Green. The two teams begin a three-game series today at Bowling Green. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Falcons (23-11, 7-5 MAC) enter the game in third place in the MAC West Division.

Andy Hudak leads the Falcons with a .381 batting average and is tied for the team leader in RBIs with 39. Nolan Reimold leads the team with 12 home runs and also has 39 RBIs.

Contact baseball reporter Joshua Hudson at [email protected].