Akron Reporter

The Golden Flashes continued its torrid offensive streak on Friday with a pair of run-rule victories over the Canisius Golden Griffins, winning game one 17-4 and game two 21-3, both in seven innings.

GAME ONE: KENT STATE 17 CANISIUS 4

The lid lifter of the three-game series was supposed to be a pitcher's dual between the two reigning conference pitchers of the week from the MAAC and the MAC. But things started with the Griffins plating three runs in the top of the first. The Griffins took advantage of a pair of Kent State throwing errors and got a pair of timely run-scoring singles to grab the early lead.

It would be all Kent State from there. After a quiet first inning, the Flashes erupted for four in the second and five more in the third to break it open. Josh Johnson hit an opposite field two-run homer and Aidan Longwell drove in the first two of his six on the day to give the Flashes a lead they would not give up. Kent State would rap out five hits in the five run third, highlighted by a two-run single by Kolton Schaller and a line-drive homer to right by Josh Mrozek. After single tallies in the fourth and fifth, Kent State left no doubt in game one with a six-run sixth. Johnson, Jackson and Longwell all had two-run doubles in the frame.

Ben Cruikshank got the win, going four of the first seven innings, allowing three hits and runs while striking out five. Calvin Bickerstaff and Jaden Varner tossed the final three innings to send the Flashes to their 11th straight win.

GAME TWO: KENT STATE 21 CANISIUS 3

Game two started eerily similar to game one. The Griffins got singles from each of the first three batters and against put up a three spot in the first inning. Joe Whitman settled in from there, allowing only two hits in his final four innings of work to strike out eight over five frames.

The bats got to work in the third, hanging an eight-spot on the board to break the game open. The Flashes took advantage of five walks and Collin Mathews bases-clearing double and a two-run single from Brody Williams highlighting the inning. Kent State poured it on with five more in the fourth and seven in the fifth. Aidan Longwell hit a titanic three-run homer in the fourth and Josh Johnson added a two-run triple. Every single Golden Flash that batted either scored a run or drove one in, while six players enjoyed multi-rbi games.

Benny Roebuck fanned four batters in his two innings of spotless relief on Friday, helping the Flashes run the win streak to 12 games, the longest since the 2012 season. Game two marked the second time during the season and the home stand that the Flashes have topped 20 runs, in seven games at Schoonover this season, Kent State has scored 107 runs.

Due to the drop in temperature expected over the weekend, the two teams will wrap the three-game series on Monday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Original source can be found here