Baseball’s winning streak ends against Toledo in 4-1 loss

Brief

The Kent State baseball team (13-8, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) had its five-game winning streak snapped by a 4-1 loss at Toledo yesterday.

Toledo senior right-hander J.R. Duffey threw a complete game to shut down a previously hot Flashes’ offense. The Flashes managed just six hits and scored their only run in the first inning thanks to a fielding error. Junior transfer Drew Saylor had two hits for the Flashes. He extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

The Rockets took the lead with two runs in the fifth inning against Flashes sophomore right-hander Evan Smith. Smith pitched into the seventh inning and is now 1-3 on the season.

The Flashes began the weekend at Toledo with a 3-1 win Friday and a 10-3 win Saturday. Sophomore third baseman Andrew Davis’ two-run single in the third inning was all the support senior right-hander Jason Brunke needed Friday. He allowed just six hits in 6 2/3 innings as he picked up his second win. Junior right-hander Chad Wagler followed Brunke and picked up his first save of the year.

Davis knocked in a pair of runs in Saturday’s win. Junior center fielder Joe Tucker also drove in two runs. Freshman right-hander Chris Carpenter picked up his third win.

— Kurt Snyder