Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Kent State
Baseball Drops Second Game Of Doubleheader To Kent State, 2-1
3/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 18, 2008
MONTGOMERY, W.Va. - Kent State first baseman Greg Rohan hit a two-run home run to deep left field in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Golden Flashes to a 2-1 win over the Marshall University baseball team in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader in Montgomery, W.Va.
After Kent State (6-10) took game one over Marshall (8-8) by a 12-11 score, the teams combined for just three runs in the second game.
The contest was a defensive battle with neither team able to score over the scheduled seven innings. Marshall starter Justin Moore pitched six scoreless innings while KSU starter Steve Ross pitched five. Moore gave up just four hits in the start while Ross gave up only three for Kent State.
Through five innings, the teams combined for just six hits with neither team able to put together a major scoring threat. That changed for the Thundering Herd in the bottom of the seventh. Brandon Casamassima was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. With one out, Victor Gomez singled to right advancing Casamassima to third.
Next up was pinch hitter Tommy Johnson, who had three RBI's in game one. He was intentionally walked to load the bases for Kenny Socorro, who grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Following a scoreless eighth inning, Ben Klafczynski led the ninth off for KSU with a single to left. Next up was Rohan, who hit a shot to left field to plate the first two runs of the game.
Marshall made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Kurt Lipton led the inning off and reached on an error by Kent State. With one out, Josh Valle singled to advance Lipton to third. Next up was Blake Sanders, who hit into a fielder's choice to score Lipton. With two outs, Johnson was issued his second walk in as many at-bats. That brought Socorro back to the plate. He hit a shot to left field that looked like it would drop, but Kent State was able to notch the final out.
Alan Morrison was credited with the win for the Golden Flashes. He pitched the final four innings, giving up an unearned run. Tyler Gatrell took the loss for the Herd.
Five players notched a hit apiece for the Herd, including Jeff Rowley, Josh Valle, Victor Gomez, Kenny Socorro and Kevin Shackelford. Kent State notched eight hits with Rohan and Jared Bartholamew having two apiece.
Marshall will be back in action on Friday, opening Conference USA action with a series against Rice at Power Park in Charleston. The series starts on Friday night at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a 7 p.m. game on Saturday and a noon game on Sunday.
