Kent State’s baseball team clinched its home-opening and sixth-straight wins Tuesday, scoring its most runs in a game since 2012.

The Flashes (8-4) defeated Youngstown State (3-10) 22-1 in seven innings.

Kent State came into the game leading the conference in hits, and against YSU, the team recorded 21 hits bringing the conference-leading total to 135.

KSU opened the game by scoring three runs on four hits in the first innings and never looked back.

The Flashes scored three or more runs in each of the first four innings, leading to a 19-0 lead.

Kent State connected on five home runs, including two by sophomore outfielder Jake Casey.

Casey blasted a grand slam to right field for his first of the game in the second inning; the second homer would come in the next inning – he is now second in the Mid-American Conference with six home runs and leads the Flashes.

Junior pitcher Aidan Longwell started his second game, going five innings and allowing one hit as he struck out nine Penguins.

Longwell earned co-player of the week after hitting .524, driving in nine runs and scoring five more over the weekend.

The left-hander retired the first 14 batters he faced.

KSU had four batters record two or more RBIs and six record two more hits – two players tallied three hits.

Graduate student outfielder Collin Mathews finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs and one homer.

Kent State’s pitching limited Youngstown to two hits – only allowing four Penguins to reach base.

Next up

The Flashes will open MAC play Friday when Northern Illinois (2-8) comes to Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.

Last season, KSU went 3-1 against the Huskies, including two wins by 10 runs.

Jacob Shondel is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].