KentStateReport.com - Kent State punches ticket to Super Regional

June 3, 2012

Kevin Noon
KentStateReport.com Managing Editor

GARY, Ind. - There is no replay in college baseball and several people on hand may debate if Evan Campbell's deep fly to right field was a home run or not for the Golden Flashes in the 8th inning. But the umpires signaled that it was a home run and that netted all the runs that Kent State would need as the team advanced to the Super Regional with a 3-2 win over Kentucky.

Tyler Skulina pitched seven strong scoreless innings allowing three hits and striking out five before running into trouble in the eighth inning. Skulina allowed the first two runners to get on base and was chased from the game. Casey Wilson finished the game with the last two innings and was not charged with allowing any runs but did yield both of Skulina's runners to plate.

Kentucky's Chandler Shepherd retired the first 16 Kent State batters that he faced but ran into trouble in the eighth. Nick Hamilton started off the inning with a single to right field and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Joe Koch drew a one-out walk to give Kent State a pair of runners on base.

Derek Toadvine hit into a fielder's choice that erased Koch at second base and gave Kent State runners on the corners with two outs. That is when Kentucky's manager came out and made a pitching change and brought Alex Phillips on to pitch.

Campbell didn't wait long to play the role of hero and took Phillips' first pitch deep to right and hit the big blast that the Golden Flashes were waiting for.

But much like in the 21 inning win over Kentucky, the Wildcats had an answer and came very close to denying Kent State its first ever regional championship. The Wildcats plated a pair and left the game tying run on base before Luke Maile flied out to center to end the threat.

After a rocky eighth inning the ninth inning was near picture perfect with Kentucky going out in order and ending with Zac Zellers flying out to right field to end the game.

Now Kent State will advance to its first ever Super Regional to take on the Oregon Ducks who breezed through their regional with an 8-1 win over Austin Peay.

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