Oh My, Eli!
Veteran lefty tosses two-hitter as Flashes win MAC pennant
AVON, OHIO – It was a storybook finish only baseball can provide.
Kent State claimed its 12th Mid-American Conference Tournament title Saturday night when senior left-hander Eli Kraus twirled a complete game, two-hit masterpiece. The Flashes' bats did their part, banging out a 14-0 win over second-seeded Miami to end the 2018 MAC Tournament. It was the second straight complete game shutout in post-season play spun by Kraus, who did the same to Toledo last May.
Kraus tied KSU Hall of Famer Pat Bangston for second on the Kent State career wins list with his 26th victory. The lefty fanned 12 over his nine innings, making just shy of 130 pitches. He won his ninth game of the season and earned Mid-American Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the effort. It was the first two-hitter from a Kent State pitcher since Eric Lauer in 2016.
He was backed by a persistent offense that solved the Sprenger Stadium hex of recent years by scoring 29 runs in the three games. The KSU lineup slugged 13 hits around the yard, highlighted by a two-run missile over the wall in right by Pavin Parks during a six-run eighth. Five Flashes smashed their way to multi-hit games; Parks leading the way with three. He, along with Josh Hollander, Jared Skolnicki and Kraus were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
KSU roared to life early following a nearly two-hour rain delay. The Golden Flashes erupted for five runs before the fourth inning and were on their way to a title fight knockout. KSU took advantage of 12 free bases issued by Miami pitching, including three bases-loaded hit batsmen.
It was Kent's 11th straight playoff win over the RedHawks, and capped a perfect 3-0 weekend in Avon. KSU defeated Central Michigan on Thursday and Miami Friday to reach the final. Miami eliminated CMU earlier on Saturday to earn the rematch with Kent State.
Back in the NCAA Division I Baseball Regionals following a four-year hiatus, Kent State will learn its destination on Monday during the selection show. KSU is 39-16 on the season.
