May 12, 2001

Box Score

KENT, Ohio - First basemen John VanBenschoten led Kent State (24-25, 15-9 MAC) to a 7-4 win over the RedHawks as he broke the MAC's season record for home runs. The Golden Flashes moved one step closer to the MAC tourney with the victory as Miami (30-22, 14-11 MAC) now has to win two of the three next games to earn a MAC postseason berth.

Kent State jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after a two-run second inning and a three-run third inning. Doing the damage for the Golden Flashes was right fielder Tom Martin with a two-run blast to right center, his ninth of the season. The third was highlighted by a VanBenschoten homer, which brought in two runs and a solo shot by Martin to give Kent State the 5-0 advantage.

The Red and White were able to cut Kent State's lead to three with a two-run sixth inning. Junior Jason Knoedler (Springfield, Ill./Springfield) registered Miami's first run, advancing home after a 4-6-3 double play. Senior Tom Yost (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) plated the RedHawks' second run of the inning with a two-out single to center field.

Gaining some momentum after two runs in the sixth, Miami tallied two more in the seventh inning after a solo home run from senior Luke Reinhart (Downers Grove, Ill./Montini Catholic). The round tripper was Reinhart's fourth of the '01 campaign. Sophomore Zach Schmidt (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) singled home Miami's final run of the contest. These runs cut Kent State's lead to one going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Kent State responded in the bottom of the seventh inning by matching Miami's scoring with two of its own for the eventual 7-4 final score. Recording the victory for the Golden Flashes was Dustin Sampson, who improved to 4-2. VanBenschoten also recorded the save in the contest for Kent State to compliment his round tripper.

Miami and Kent State will continue the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader tomorrow.