A pair of shutouts highlighted the Golden Eagles twin bill split with visiting Clark State on Saturday afternoon at TCC Saints Field.
In the first game, the Clark State pitching was superb as the Golden Eagles were limited to just three hits in a 15-0 loss.
The visitors scored runs in each inning of the five-inning game and powered two homeruns as they collected 11 hits, highlighted by a three-run first inning, a six-run third and a four run fifth. Three Golden Eagles errors helped Clark State's cause.
Kent State Tusc came alive in the second game, as lefty pitcher Branyan Wade's off-speed deliveries kept the visiting Eagles at bay for the majority of the game to secure a 4-0 win. He allowed just three hits and struck out three as he went the distance.
The Navy and Gold bats got off to a good start, as they took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and plated single runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames. The Golden Eagles did not commit a fielding error.
Nicholas Leonard drew a free pass and advanced to second on a single to left field by AJ Boshears. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch, before Bret Clements laced a single into right field scoring Leonard before the side was retired on a double play.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Kyle Stotzer singled to left and Mason Eicher smashed a double into left field to put two Golden Eagles into scoring position. An Owen Poland fly ball to right brought home Stotzer and the Eagles led 2-0.
In between three Golden Eagles strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth, Boshears lofted a 1-2 pitch into the wind and over the left field fence for his second homer of the season and 3-0 KSU Tusc lead.
The Golden Eagles finished their scoring in the bottom of the fifth as Charlie Drumm walked and stole second. A perfect sacrifice bunt down the first base line by Stotzer moved Drumm to third and a fly ball to deep center by Eicher brought Drumm home for a 4-0 lead.
Clark State didn't really threaten until the top of the seventh inning, when they put runners on first and third with one out. Wade retired the side on a force play at second and got the final batter on a called strike three to end the game.
Boshears and Eicher both had two hits in three trips to the plate. Each had a single and an extra base hit as Boshears homered and Eicher doubled.
Mason Eicher returns the ball to the infield after making a catch in deep center.
Charlie Drumm makes a catch in left field. (Photos by Jason Keller)