This weekend, we started conference play against Western Michigan University.

We were all pretty excited for the weekend, it was the start of conference play, and it was our home opener.

Friday's game did not go exactly how we had planned it. Western's starter, Ethan Hollingsworth, (reigning Freshman of the year) allowed three runs in the third then did not allow another run the rest of the game. Our starting pitcher, Evan Smith, threw really well, they just had some bloop shots fall in the outfield when they had guys in scoring position. Offensively we scored three runs early but we struggled the rest of the game to getguys on base. Western won the game 4-3. Obviously, we did not want to start conference play 0-1 but we still had the chance to win the series and that is what is most important.

A pinch-hit, two-out single by Doug Sanders gave us a 7-5 win on Saturday. Offensively we were better today, a three-run bomb by Andrew Davis in the third highlighted the four-run inning. Western refused to go away though; it seemed like every time we scored, they would answer the next inning. But once we got the lead, our bullpen held down their bats. Senor closer Ryan Davis earned his third save of the season.

The series was now tied 1-1, we had a lot of momentum going into Sunday’s game. We needed to end the weekend with a win.

Starting pitcher J.J. Pacella allowed one run over four innings of work, and reliever Dominque Rogers threw five shutout innings en route to a 5-1 victory.

Greg Rohan and Jared Bartholomew belted solo home runs to highlight the day offensively. It was really important for us to win these last two games of the series. It set the tone for the rest of the season, and it gave us a lot of confidence going into next weekend’s match up against a very good Central Michigan team (the Flashes dropped two of three at CMU).

Brad Winter

(photo courtesy of Kent State Media Relations Office)