The Kent State baseball team is gearing up for their stretch run of the regular season, by hosting front running Bowling Green in a key MAC series this weekend at Schoonover Stadium.
The Flashes, coming off a disappointing home loss Wednesday to Division II Clarion, will look to build on momentum that was gained last weekend in a heart stopping series win at Northern Illinois.
Once again, it took theatrics and a resilient bunch of Flashes to eke out a Sunday win on the road in league play.
Down to their last strike at NIU, the Flashes were able to rally for a miraculous, extra inning win. At this point in the season, style points don’t matter. The Flashes need each and every win to qualify for the MAC Tournament in Avon at the end of May.
“It’s a good feeling as a coach knowing that these guys won’t give up and they think they’re in every game”, Head Coach Jeff Duncan told Flash Talk.
The Flashes host Bowling Green this weekend. KSU will need every bit of Schoony magic, veteran presence and big game experience and ability to win the series against the Falcons.
Bowling Green is 17-1 in the MAC, and one of the top stories in the nation. They’re led by former KSU pitcher Kyle Hallock as their Head Coach. BGSU, who started 15-0, the top start in MAC Baseball history, finally lost to Ohio this past weekend. The program, which was set to be shut down following the 2020 season, was revived by a donor group led by former BGSU and MLB pitcher Orel Hershisher. Doing it with local players primarily from Northwest Ohio and Michigan, the Falcons will look to test themselves against the MAC’s perennial power in the toughest venue in the league.
“Really looking forward to this weekend, “Jeff Duncan said on Flash Talk. “I think it’ll be a really good challenge for our guys, it’ll be intense all weekend, and our guys will be ready.”
This weekend features the two top offenses in the MAC. Bowling Green is averaging over 13 runs per MAC game. The Flashes have hit the most dingers in the league with 45 and they’re averaging nine runs per MAC game.
Friday night is the Student Tailgate and Hometown Heroes night. Saturday will be Military Appreciation Day and Sunday features National Superhero Day.
The banged up Flashes will send Ciaran Caughey to the mound on Friday night. First pitch is at 6pm.
MCNAMARA GRITS IT OUT: Kent State senior infielder Michael McNamara continues to play and produce, despite battling several injuries this year. The 6-2, 205 pounder who prepped at St. Ignatius in Cleveland, helped lead the Wildcats to a 2019 Ohio state title. McNamara is hitting .260 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 2024. McNamara and Kyle Jackson swapped positions in the last month, putting McNamara at third base and Jackson at shortstop.
“You got to love sports and the character of Michael McNamara who’s been battling some injuries all year long and hasn’t been 100% but for him to give everything he possibly can, whatever he’s got left into every game, it’s been pretty inspirational not only to me but to the rest of the group so when you have a catalyst like him, and just recently really starting to pick up his numbers,” Duncan said.
ROAD TO AVON: The Flashes sit at 10-8 in league play and are in sole possession of fifth place in the MAC, with three of the final four series at home. The Flashes play BGSU, Miami, Ball State and Akron to end the regular season. The top six teams advance to the MAC tournament in Avon, Ohio.