The Kent State pitching staff struck out 20 Toledo batters in an extra-inning game Tuesday afternoon, but the Flashes failed to take advantage of opportunities to score.

The Rockets scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning to defeat the Flashes 4-3. The loss marks the Flashes’ first defeat at home this season.

The Flashes loaded the bases with one out in the 10th inning, but sophomore third baseman Sawyer Polen struck out swinging, and sophomore second baseman Derek Toadvine grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Kent State had another chance to score in the bottom of the 12th, when senior catcher David Lyon tripled to left center field with one out in the inning. Unfortunately for the Flashes, the next two batters struck out and grounded out, respectively.

The Flashes tallied 11 hits in the game but left 10 runners stranded on base.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Michael Clark pitched a tremendous outing for the Flashes, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out 12 in five and two-thirds innings. Clark left the game in the sixth with a 2-1 lead but ended up with a no-decision.

The Flashes held a 2-0 lead after the fifth inning. The Rockets put a run on the board in the top of the sixth, but the Flashes answered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double by junior third baseman Nick Hamilton. Hamilton went 3-for-3 in the game.

Kent State led 3-2 in the top of the ninth, and junior right-handed pitcher Casey Wilson was brought in to close out the game. However, Toledo got the best of Wilson, as center fielder Ben Hammer slapped a two-out single to left field that drove in the game-tying run.

Toledo freshman right-handed pitcher Cody Umbright was awarded the win, while redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Eric Dorsch took the loss for the Flashes.

The Flashes will travel to the University of Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected] or @TimmyD_DKS