Free of Pressure, Flashes Look to Make More Memories in Avon

It’s not often that Kent State baseball is considered an underdog.  And, I’m not sure any of the opposing players and coaches involved actually think of Kent State as an underdog, but at least on paper, a #5 seed could be considered as such.

If you missed our MAC Baseball Tournament preview this week you can view it here. 

Mid-Major, one bid leagues are tricky like that.  Play all season, prove that you’re the best team over a two-month span, and then get to the conference tournament and everyone is 0-0.  Everyone is fighting for that “one piece of pizza” as KSU men’s basketball coach Rob Senderoff would say.

Kent State has worn the hat of favorite a lot under Head Coach Jeff Duncan and the coaches who came before him.  They’ve lost some, they’ve won a lot of them.  They’ve also won when they weren’t the top seed.  But most times, if they don’t win it, usually whoever does has to come through them.

Kent State is embracing the fact that there is no pressure on them, no expectations and they can play free and easy.  Duncan was a guest with Guardians radio PBP man and friend of program Tom Hamilton Tuesday night, and he discussed just that.  The Golden Flashes team took in the Guardians and Mets last night at Progressive Field.    

Parity was the word of the day in Avon Tuesday as teams worked out at Crushers Stadium.  Many of the league’s six head coaches with an invitation to the party spoke about how anyone can win this tournament.

“When you have an opportunity like this tournament, anybody can win this tournament this year.  This league, the parity…this league’s very good and the six teams that are in this tournament are all very good.  It’ll be very competitive games…and I’m proud of our team,” Duncan said during his league office interview Tuesday.

From a Blue & Gold perspective, the Golden Flashes have a very unique, effective and impactful formula for this week.  

They have a team that is free of pressure, with a roster that has the talent of a team picked to win the league, combined with a group that has been resilient and relentless this year, by virtue of over ten wins coming from behind.  They also have uncommon depth in the lineup and on the mound, due to some of those injuries.  

“We had to battle a lot of adversity this year,” Duncan said.  “Obviously coming off a regular season championship last year and we had to battle some injuries this year.  The one thing that exemplifies our team is the grit, the never quit attitude that they’ve had all year long and if you look at our scores throughout the year you can see the comeback wins.  We probably have ten comeback wins this year and it just shows a lot about our team.  I’m really proud of them and I’m really excited for the opportunity that we have in this tournament.”       

At Kent State, in the Mid-American Conference, anything short of a NCAA Regional appearance is considered a disappointment.  That comes with the territory of all the success the program has had going back decades.  Will this be another May to remember in Lorain County?  Or will it simply be a season to flush, forget and look ahead to next year?

“It’s great being back here in Avon, and I think this is a great facility, obviously there’s been some great new things with the scoreboard and the turf,” Duncan said.  “Kent State baseball has had some great moments in this stadium and that’s what came back to me when we came into the parking lot here.  Just the couple championships we’ve won on that field, and it brings back some really good memories.”

What memories will the Flashes create in 2024?  Let’s find out.   

JOHNSON & BICKERSTAFF HONORED: Graduate outfielder Josh Johnson and senior pitcher Calvin Bickerstaff were named All-MAC First Team on Tuesday.

Johnson led the Flashes in several offensive categories this season, hitting .341 with 13 homers, 60 RBI and 22 stolen bases. In conference play, the Pittsburgh native went .405/12/44 with 51 hits in 30 games. Those numbers ranked in the top 3 of the MAC in conference play and his 44 RBI led the conference.

Bickerstaff had a strong season for the Flashes, working out of the starting rotation and the bullpen. The senior broke into the rotation this year and went 4-1 on the year in MAC play with a 3.35 ERA. In six starts in MAC play, the righty went at least five innings in each start and allowed three or fewer runs in five of the six starts. He showcased pinpoint control, striking out 52 batters against only four walks and 32:2 in MAC play. His 13/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio was tops in the MAC and second in Division-I.

KSU RECRUIT SHINES: Kent State commit and Saint Ignatius star Sawyer Solitaria pitched and hit his team to a District Semifinal win Tuesday over Westlake. The right-handed pitcher went six innings and gave up three runs, and he also hit a two-run home run late in the game to seal the victory for the Wildcats.


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