April 29, 2006
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - In the first extra-inning game this year for either team, the visiting Kent State Golden Flashes got a one-out double from Todd Balduf in the top of the 12th inning to escape with a 4-2 victory over Ohio Saturday night in Bob Wren Stadium.
A 2-1 Kent State lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Bobcats got three-straight singles with one out - the last of which came off the bat of Bryant Witt - to send the game to extras. After two scoreless innings, the Flashes finally came through on Balduf's drive to left that Ohio fielder Jared Wills didn't get a bead on and the ball went just over his outstretched glove for what proved to be the winning scores.
In a game that was a pitcher's dual throughout, both staffs surrendered just two runs apiece through the game's first 11 frames and got help from a number of key defensive plays from both sides.
It wasn't until the top of the seventh that either team was able to muster a legitimate scoring opportunity. Bobcat starter Anthony Gressick had allowed just six Kent State batters to reach base over the course of the first six innings, but the Flashes drew a lead-off walk and the runner advanced to second on a groundout. The third KSU batter of the inning then singled sharply to center but as KSU sent the runner home, Willie Walker gunned him down on a one-hop throw from center field to keep the game scoreless.
The Bobcats were finally able to break up the shutout after the seventh inning stretch. Kent State starter Chad Wagler had held the Bobcats to just three hits at the time, but Walker sent a one-out single up the middle and moved to second on a groundout. Witt then shot a grounder just past the outstretched arms of the KSU second baseman into right field and Walker came around to score the game's first run.
The Flashes were able to answer in their very next at-bat, however. A one-out double down the right field line had Kent State in business and a walk gave it two runners on. A hard infield single handcuffed Witt at short and the ball ricocheted of him into shallow right field allowing the lead runner to cross home plate to tie the game 1-1.
Bobcat closer Chris Rigo came on to start the ninth in place of Gressick and chalked up two quick outs, but hit Kent State shortstop Emmanuel Burris on the foot with a two-strike count to give the Flashes life. Burris then stole second with Joe Tucker at the plate and just a couple of pitches later Tucker dribbled a roller down the third base line that Ohio third-bagger Hayden Johnston could make the play at first. Burris sprinted to the plate on the play for the go-ahead run and KSU's first lead of the series, 2-1. Rigo then hit another batter and the Bobcats went to the bullpen for southpaw Adam Goodpasture, who was able to get a strikeout to escape the inning.
With Kent State reliever Ryan Davis in his second inning of work, the Bobcats mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Walker registered a one-out single to center and pinch-hitter Jared Willis blooped a hit down the right field line with the Flashes outfielders playing deep which allowed Walker to move over to third. Witt then drove a single through the left side to plate Walker for the game's tying run, which chased Davis. The Flashes called on Reid Lamport out of the bullpen to face Chris Klimko with one out and induced a 5-4-3 double play to halt the Bobcat rally and send the game to extras.
After the Flashes went in order in the top of the 10th, Ohio threatened to end it in its first extra-inning at-bat of the season. Johnston singled to left with one out and Hammond followed suit with two outs and moved to second on the throw to third to give Ohio two runners in scoring position. A walk to Gressick loaded the bases, but Walker grounded out to second to keep the game even.
Neither team made any noise in the 11th, but the Flashes came out swinging in the 12th. With Yale Silverman now on the mound for Ohio, Kent State got a lead-off single and a one-out walk which set the stage for Balduf's heroics. After the two-RBI double, Silverman retired the next two batters, but the damage was done.
All the Bobcats could muster in the bottom of the 12th was a two-out single by J.T. Osburn as the Flashes earned with the 4-2 victory.
"We've got to give Kent State credit, they hung in there longer that we did," Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone said. "We had them on the ropes a couple of times but just couldn't get the big base hit to end the game."
Silverman (1-2) took the loss for Ohio in relief. He allowed two runs on two hits in 2 1-3 innings. Gressick got a no-decision in his sixth start of the season. He allowed just one unearned run on seven hits in eight innings with four strikeouts and four walks.
"Anthony (Gressick) is a true warrior, he pitched real well for us tonight," Carbone said. "And (Chad) Wagler pitched very well. Both of those guys went out and pitched very well I thought."
Johnston, Walker and Witt each finished with two hits for Ohio and Witt drove in both Bobcat runs.
Reid Lamport (3-0) got the victory for the Flashes after throwing three scoreless innings. Wagler allowed just one run on six hits in 7 1-3 innings.
Drew Saylor finished 3-for-5 at the plate to pace the Kent State offense.
The game drew a season-high home attendance to-date of 425 fans.
The Bobcats and Flashes will wrap up the three-game weekend set with the rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m. John Angelicchi (1-5) will attempt to make the start for Ohio coming off an injured shin he suffered in his last start. Kent State is scheduled to start John Pacella (4-0).
