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Box Score (PDF)

KENT, Ohio -- The Ohio baseball team (20-14, 11-10 MAC) took a 3-2 loss to Kent State (18-18, 11-10 MAC) in the opening game of a four-game Mid-American Conference weekend set on Friday (April 30) at Olga A. Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.

The Bobcats received another strong outing on the mound from junior left-handed pitcher Joe Rock (Aliquippa, Pa.). The reigning MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week struck out eight over six innings while surrendering just one earned run on four hits and four walks in his 10th start of the 2021 season. Ohio was limited to just four hits, however, and was unable to protect a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Ohio struck first in the top of the first inning when senior center fielder Isaiah Peterson (Lincoln, Neb.) hit a home run to lead off the contest.

The Golden Flashes evened the score in the bottom half of the second on a two-out RBI triple. After three scoreless innings, the Bobcats broke the tie in the sixth as graduate student third baseman Trevor Hafner (Perrysburg, Ohio) coaxed a two-out walk, stole second and then scored on a double down the left field line by senior designated hitter Aaron Levy (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Kent State rallied with two runs in seventh to take the lead and kept Ohio off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Ohio and Kent State are set to play a doubleheader on Saturday (May 1). First pitch for the first of two seven-inning games is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

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