Junior second baseman Drew Saylor attempts to retire a stealing Ohio baserunner last Friday. The Flashes will play at Marshall today.

Credit: Andrew popik

Drew Saylor has only been at Kent State (16-10, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) since January, but he is already at home in the Flashes’ lineup.

After four hits and five RBI in the Flashes’ doubleheader sweep of Northern Kentucky Wednesday, Saylor is hitting .400, is second on the team with three home runs and is tied for second on the team with 22 RBI going into today’s series opener at 3 p.m. at Marshall.

Saylor said he had concerns about fitting in with the Flashes after transferring from Cincinnati where he was a .291 hitter in two seasons with the Bearcats. But he has had no problems.

“They welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “I had worries coming in. I didn’t want to take somebody’s spot.”

The junior right-handed hitting second baseman moved into the No. 3 spot in the batting order early in the season and has not left it. He said he has been focusing on being consistent, and he has been just that. He had a 13-game hitting streak earlier this season.

Marshall (8-16, 3-3 MAC) has not played since Monday when the Herd split a doubleheader with Miami. Senior outfielder Joe Glevenyak leads the Herd with five home runs and 18 RBI. He also is hitting .304.

The Flashes pitching staff will have the task of shutting down Glevenyak. Kent State coach Scott Stricklin said the staff worked valuable innings during three wins Tuesday and Wednesday and is ready to go for the weekend.

Saylor said the staff is “unbelievable” and matches up against the best in the MAC and Conference USA where Saylor played with Cincinnati.

Contact managing editor Kurt Snyder at [email protected].