CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
KENT, Ohio – An eight-run fourth inning does Canisius in as Kent State squeezes out a 13-11 win Wednesday afternoon at Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium in Kent, Ohio. The victory moves the Golden Flashes to 19-10 overall, as the Golden Griffins drop to 17-11 on the 2018 season.
Redshirt senior Christ Conley put Canisius on the board in the first inning in a big way as the Derby, N.Y., native, blasted his fourth home run of the year to right center, giving the Griffs the early 1-0 lead.
Kent State took the lead in the bottom of the second with four runs as senior Brad Hamilton hit a two-run double to left field followed by a solo shot by redshirt senior Reilly Hawkins and a redshirt senior Mason Mamarella single, put the home team up 4-1 after two innings of play.
The Golden Griffins answered right back in the top of the third with a four spot of their own. Senior Liam Wilson began the rally with a two-run home run to left field, scoring senior Cyrus Senior in the process. A few batters later, with the bases loaded, Conley raced home on a wild pitch to tie the game at four. An infield single by senior Tim Kensinger brought home senior Ryan Stekl, pushing the Blue and Gold in front, 5-4 through three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Golden Flashes’ offense exploded for eight runs on seven hits, the biggest blow being a bases clearing, three-run triple by junior Josh Hollander to break the frame open. When the dust settled, Kent State held a commanding 12-5 lead.
The home team added their final run in the bottom of the fifth on a Canisius error to hold the 13-5 advantage.
The Griffs didn’t go away without a fight as they chipped back with two runs in the seventh inning on a Kensinger fielder’s choice, allowing Stekl to score, and a sacrifice fly by sophomore Stephen Bennett, permitting freshman Jacob Martins to dart home from third, put Canisius down 13-7 after seven innings.
That score held heading into the top of the ninth inning where the Blue and Gold clawed back. The first two Canisius hitters went down quickly via pop out and strikeout. Bennett strolled to the plate next and rocketed a triple into center field to give the Griffs some life. After a walk and an error, Wilson smashed his second home run of the afternoon, this time of the three-run variety, getting the Blue and Gold to within two runs, at 13-11. That was as close as the Golden Griffins got as Conley flew out to center to end the ballgame.
Canisius sent seven arms to the rubber, with freshman right-hander Omar Ward receiving his second collegiate start on the hill, lasting 1.2 innings and surrendering four runs on three hits.
On the Kent State side, five pitchers saw action as redshirt freshman Tyler Drabick got the nod, putting in 2.2 innings of work, allowing five runs on five hits, while striking out three.
GAME NOTES
• With his four hits on Wednesday, Wilson has reached base in all 28 games this season and 30 times in his last 31 games dating back to last year.
• Wilson’s streak also includes an on-going 12 game hitting streak.
• Wilson’s five-RBI output makes him the third Griff to tally five RBI in a game this season (Conley and Stekl).
• Wilson’s four hits makes him the second Griff this year to record four base hits (McKenna).
• Conley’s on-base streak now stands at 18 straight games with his two hits on Wednesday.
• Conley also extends his consecutive game hitting streak to 10 games.
UP NEXT
The Griffs will be back on the road as the squad travels to New Rochelle, N.Y., to face Iona in a three-game conference series, Apr. 14-15. Game times are noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday.
