June 20, 2012

Jeremy Birmingham
KentStateReport.com Staff Writer

As their reward for knocking off top-seeded Florida in nail-biting fashion on Monday evening, the Kent State baseball team is preparing to take on an even more daunting task Wednesday night.

The two-time defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks. After being upset by Arkansas, South Carolina - who had won 12 straight College World Series games - will try their hand against a Golden Flashes team that is still riding high after their elimination game victory against the Gators.

The game, which can be seen live on tonight at 8pm EST on ESPN, will pit the Gamecocks' Jordan Montgomery (5-1, 4.05 ERA) against second team All-Mac selection Tyler Skulina. Skulina (11-2, 3.63 ERA) went five and two-thirds strong innings in his last start, allowing no runs and two hits against Oregon but recorded a no decision when the KSU bullpen couldn't hold the lead he had earned.

The game will be the first meeting between the two schools since 1997, a three game set that saw South Carolina outscore the Flashes 42-20. The Gamecocks hold the all-time series lead against Kent State 5-2.

South Carolina's 2-1 loss on Monday night was the team's first defeat in 26 games this season in a game that saw them surrender two or less runs, but they are no stranger to close games. At 46-18, the Gamecocks have played an incredible 27 one run contests, and have a 14-13 mark in those games. Since 2009, South Carolina is an unbelievable 27-2 in College World Series match-ups.

For coach Scott Stricklin's Golden Flashes, it will be another day as David against an SEC conference Goliath, but it's a role that Kent State has excelled in this season: they are 7-3 against ranked opponents and 4-3 this year against the Southeastern Conference.

Kent State will be without designated hitter Jason Bagoly for the game against South Carolina. Bagoly left the team Tuesday to return home to mourn the death of his mother, Chery McHenry, who passed away last Thursday night. Kent State will support their teammate and her memory by wearing a "CM" decal on their hats and batting helmets. Bagoly is hitting .277 on the season with three homeruns and 24 RBI.