LUBBOCK, TEXAS – Kent State scored six runs against the Louisville pitching staff for a second time in three days, but couldn't overcome the Cardinals' bats and five defensive miscues in a 12-6 setback in Sunday's Regional Semifinal.
Pete Schuler – a lock for the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team – slugged yet another home run – his third in his last 11 at-bats and Nick Kanavas also left the yard for the Golden Flashes. KSU banged out 10 hits and got additional RBIs from Pavin Parks and Michael Turner plus last at-bat singles from seniors Mason Mamarella (Dover) and Brad Hamilton. KSU had the bases loaded in the ninth inning.
Mamarella ended with a 2-for-4 day.
"Hats go off to Louisville," head coach Jeff Duncan said. "It's tough in the regional environment against a quality club when you give freebies. But I'm extremely proud of this program. I'm proud of where it is and where it's going."
Unfortunately, it was another uphill climb for Kent State against the ACC Tournament runners-up. U of L took a 9-1 lead in the fifth after racing out to a 10-2 lead against KSU early on Friday. The Golden Flashes battled back with runs in the sixth and eighth, but the mountain was too high. KSU pitchers – forced to locate a miniscule strike zone – walked 10 Cardinals; six of them eventually scored.
The remarkable career of Eli Kraus also came to a close as the senior struck out two in his four innings. He will finish with 26 victories – tied for second on the all-time list. He also finished 2018 with nine victories – his most since 2016.
Kent State concludes its 2018 campaign at 40-18 – a fifth 40-win season in the last decade. KSU swept both the regular and post-season league championships and ended the league's 11-game NCAA Tournament losing streak with a win yesterday. The program has won at least 30 games in each of the past 20 years.