The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Baseball Falls to Kent State, 7-1, in Diamond Classic for the Kids
May 14 | Baseball
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Box Score (PDF)
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron baseball team fell to Kent State by a final score of 7-1 on Thursday evening after a big third inning from the Golden Flashes at Canal Park in the annual Diamond Classic for the Kids.
With the loss, Akron fell to 24-27 overall and 12-13 in the Mid-American Conference. MAC East leading Kent State improved to 30-19 overall and 17-8 in conference play.
The teams exchanged a pair of scoreless frames to open the game before Kent State plated five in the top of the third inning to put the game out of reach early.
The Golden Flashes' designated hitter Curtis Olvey led off the third with a double to initiate the five-hit attack. The Flashes also took advantage of an Akron miscue to plate three unearned runs and lead 5-0.
Kent State tacked on two runs off two hits and an error in the next frame to extend its lead to 7-0.
Akron plated its lone run in the bottom of the eighth when senior infielder Matt Rembielak shot a single up the middle with one out. Redshirt freshman outfielder Mason Mamarella followed with a single to advance Rembielak into scoring position. Sophomore catcher Brian Lees singled to left field to score Rembielak and cut the deficit to 7-1.
The Zips ended a rally effort in the bottom of the ninth with three left on base after three-straight hit by pitches.
Akron reliever Josh Davis twirled 3.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and held the KSU offense to two hits while fanning a pair. Davis worked around an Akron error in the top of the eighth to strand a pair of runners in scoring position.
Junior starting pitcher John Valek III was tagged with the loss. Valek turned in 6.0 innings, nine hits and seven runs, three earned. He fanned five and walked one and moved to 6-6 on the season.
The win went to Kent State's Nick Jensen-Clagg (8-4) who threw 6.1 innings and allowed two hits.
The Zips and Golden Flashes return to action on Friday in game two of the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Akron's nine seniors will be honored on the field before the game as part of Senior Day.
