Flashes hit four home runs in 20-9 win

It didn’t take long for the Kent State baseball team to put its game against Northern Illinois out of reach Saturday afternoon.

The Flashes (20-6) scored seven runs in the first inning and eight more in the fifth as they rolled to a 20-9 victory over the Huskies at Schoonover Stadium.

Junior center fielder Jered Humphreys and freshman third baseman Travis Shaw each hit home runs in the first inning to give the Flashes a 7-0 lead after one.

Senior first baseman Greg Rohan hit a grand slam in the fifth and senior right fielder Jason Patton added a two-run shot in the sixth for the Flashes, who led 17-1 after five innings.

Junior Kyle Smith (3-1) gave up five runs and four hits in six innings to earn the victory. Three of the runs came on a three-run homer by Northern Illinois’ Matt Behren in the sixth inning.

Every Kent State starter but Jimmy Rider had a hit, and all nine starters scored at least one run. Patton had four hits, and freshman catcher David Lyon knocked in five runners.

The Flashes, who beat Northern Illinois 9-3 on Friday, will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon. The game will begin at 1 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium.