Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Kent State
Baseball Falls To Kent State, 4-1
4/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 22, 2008
KENT, Ohio - Marshall University third baseman Brandon Casamassima finished 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, but a three-run second inning by Kent State helped lift the Golden Flashes to a 4-1 victory over the Thundering Herd in Tuesday afternoon's non-conference baseball game at Schoonover Stadium.
With the loss, Marshall (19-20-1 overall) sees its five-game winning streak snapped, while Kent State improves to 22-15 on the season.
Trailing 4-1 in the eighth, Marshall appeared to get something going when center fielder Nate Lape laced a two-out double to left field, but the Herd offense could not drive him in.
Marshall starter Shane Farrell (0-1) pitched five inning (his longest appearance on the season) and allowed four runs on seven hits in the losing effort.
Kent State starter Justin Gill (3-0) hurled five innings allowing one run on four hits, while striking out three batters to remain perfect on the season.
Relievers Brett Weibley and Reid Lamport each pitched two scoreless innings for Kent State. Weibley held the Herd scoreless and hitless with two strikeouts. Lamport pitched the final two innings and gave up a hit and a walk and struck out one to pick up his fourth save of the year.
The Golden Flashes posted a three-run second inning to get things going. Catcher John Lydic notched an RBI double, while shortstop Ryan Tokarz and second baseman Doug Sanders added RBI singles.
After being shutout in four innings, Marshall pushed across its lone run of the contest in the top of the fifth, when shortstop Adam Yeager earned a two-out walk and then stole second and third. Casamassima drove Yeager home on an infield single to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Kent State first baseman Greg Rohan led off the home half of the inning with a solo shot to left field to increase the Kent State lead to 4-1.
From there, Marshall shutdown the Golden Flashes offense. Right-hander Ian Kadish replaced Farrell and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and registering the Herd's only strikeout of the game.
Southpaw Brian Mooney entered in the eighth and retired the only batter he faced before Tyler Gatrell came in to close out the game for Marshall. The sophomore surrendered just one base hit that was sandwiched between a popup and a fly out.
Designated hitter Victor Gomez doubled in the second and singled in the fourth to record two of Marshall's five hits.
Marshall returns to non-conference action Wednesday, April 23, when it travels to Athens, Ohio for a showdown with Ohio University. First-pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. First-year right-hander Justin Moore (2-2) will take the hill for the Herd.
