The Falcons could not match the offensive firepower of Kent State this weekend in two Mid-American Conference games played at Stellar Field, resulting in a pair of losses.
The Golden Flashes outhit the Falcons 35-13 on the weekend.
The losses bring the Falcons’ MAC record to 10-13 (18-28 overall), which is good for third in the MAC East and a spot in the conference tournament.
Game one took a season-long three hours and 43 minutes to complete, ending in a football score of 17-10.
Kent’s pitching staff came into the weekend touting a 2.44 ERA. The 10 Falcons’ runs were the most a MAC team has scored against the Golden Flashes all season.
Kent struck first in the opening inning on a wild pitch from Falcons starter Cody Apthorpe.
The Falcons did not take long to respond. In the bottom of the first, designated hitter Jeremy Shay hit a three-run shot over the right field fence, putting the Falcons up 3-1.
“It felt good,” Shay said.
The defensive play of the game came in the top of the second when Falcons shortstop Jon Berti made a jumping grab, using every inch of his 5 foot 10 inch frame to reach a liner hit by Kent’s T.J. Sutton.
Berti was also a bright spot in the offense, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Kent went up 5-3 in the third, scoring two runs on three hits.
A debacle in the fourth put the game out of reach for the Falcons.
A hit batsman, an error by Berti and a single by second baseman Derek Toadvine loaded the bases for Kent with one out. Arthorpe then walked in a run ending his outing after 3 1/3 innings.
Pitcher Mike Frank relieved Arthorpe, only to give up three more walks, two hits and six runs in 1/3 innings. Three of the runs came from base runners allowed by Arthorpe.
Ben Singer replaced Frank and was finally able to end the inning on a fielder’s choice. The total damage was etched into the books as seven runs scored on three hits and an error, giving Kent a 10-3 lead.
Falcons manager Danny Schmitz commented on the danger in giving good teams free bases.
“When you’re playing against a good team, and you give them extra opportunities, that’s what good teams do … they capitalize,” Schmitz said.
The Falcons would never recover from the fourth. While scoring five runs in their last six at-bats, Kent State tagged the Falcons’ bullpen for another seven.
The bottom of the ninth provided some excitement for Falcons fans when pinch-hitter Matt Vannet hit a two-run homer that may have reached Poe Road when finally landing.
“It felt pretty good, 2-0 pitch, figured he’d want to bring something over for a strike … if he gave me something to hit I was going to put my best swing on it,” Vannet said. “I put my best swing on it, and it went over the fence.”
The homer was the first of Vannet’s college career.
Game two was all Kent State. With a gem of a performance pitched by Kyle Hallock, and efficient two-out hitting, the Golden Flashes shutout the Falcons 8-0.
Hallock tossed 8 1/3 innings, giving up only five hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters.
“I thought Hallock was outstanding,” Schmitz said. “He had command of all three pitches.”
Kent scored three runs both in the first and third innings on Falcon starting pitcher Nick Bruns, giving them a 6-0 lead. The Golden Flashes were 7-for-9 hitting with two outs during the span.
Ross Gerdeman entered for Bruns with two outs in the top of the third. Gerdeman would pitch 5 1/3 innings, giving up no runs while striking out six Golden Flashes.
“Getting ahead keeps the batter thinking,” said Gerdeman. “When I stayed ahead I kept them off balance and got outs.”
Schmitz said Gerdeman gave the Falcons a chance by stopping the bleeding: “He did exactly what his job and role was today, and that is to hold the fort as we call it … he was outstanding.”
The Falcons’ failure to come up with two-out base hits several times proved costly, leaving a total of six men on base.
“When you get the opportunity to drive in runs, obviously, you have to step up and help your team out,” Duncan said. “I give (Hallock) a lot of credit, hats off to him.”
Duncan claimed one of five hits for the Falcons in the second game.
Sunday’s game was canceled due to inclement weather and will not be rescheduled. The special observance of the senior players, which was set to take place on the field Sunday, will now take place Tuesday against Cleveland State.