SoutheasternOhioPreps.com

Congrats to Scott Stricklin and the the rest of the Golden Flashes for their first ever trip to the CWS...

Now how did I know that Bish would get this topic started?? lol.....

Scott Stricklin is and Athens County boy, and a graduate of Athens! He is doing amazing as the Skipper of the Golden Flash! I will be rooting for Stric and Kent State, to go all the way!!!!!!

Here is a great read about the game!


http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2 ... rld-series




EUGENE, Ore.—Jimmy Rider drove in the winning run with a shallow pop fly that landed just inside the left-field foul line in the bottom of the ninth, lifting Kent State to a 3-2 win over Oregon on Monday night and sending the Golden Flashes to their first College World Series.

Rider's hit off Oregon closer Jimmie Sherfy fell just out of the reach of shortstop J.J. Altobelli and left fielder Brett Thomas, who appeared to lose track of the ball when it was hit.

Kent State players let loose after securing the school's first trip to Omaha. (AP Photo)
Derek Toadvine scored from second base before Thomas could attempt a throw, making Kent State (46-18) the first team from the Mid-American Conference since Eastern Michigan in 1976 to advance past the NCAA super regional for a trip to Omaha.

"It's really hard to find words to describe what this means for Kent State and the Mid-American Conference to make it to the College World Series," Kent State coach Scott Stricklin. "I'm just overcome."

Oregon was trying to end an even longer drought, just missing its first CWS appearance since 1954.

"J.J. and I both gave it our all," Thomas said of Rider's fair ball. "Bet he couldn't hit that same spot if we gave him 100 tries."

The play happened so quickly that most of the Ducks remained at their positions on the field as the Kent State dugout and bullpen emptied to join a pile of players near home plate.

"Everyone was just in shock," Rider said. "When the ball first went into the air, I'm sure everyone thought it was an out, but when it landed, we just went crazy."

The super regional series featured three one-run games, with the Golden Flashes winning 7-6 on Saturday and the Ducks rallying for three runs in the seventh of a 3-2 victory Sunday to extend the series.

A similar situation seemed to be unfolding Monday.

Trailing 2-0, the Ducks (46-19) tied it in the eighth inning on a single through a hole in the right side of the infield by Ryon Healy that scored Altobelli and Aaron Payne.

Healy's hit was just the fourth — and last — hit of the game for Oregon.

"It felt like Sunday night all over again," Stricklin said. "You just hope you can get through it."

Reliever Brian Clark made sure they did, recording five straight outs for the win after allowing Healy's single.

"We're devastated," said Oregon coach George Horton, who had the Ducks on the edge of a College World Series berth just four years after the program returned from a 26-year hiatus.

Kent State went ahead early, scoring two runs on six hits against Oregon starter Jeff Gold, who didn't make it out of the second inning.

The Golden Flashes scored once in the first on a lined single by T.J. Sutton and then again in the second on a bases-loaded double-play grounder by Evan Campbell.

Kent State was shut down by the Ducks' bullpen the rest of the game, getting just one more hit off four relievers.

But Oregon could never get to Kent State starter Tyler Skulina, a 6-foot-6 right-hander who allowed just a pair of singles in his 5 2-3 innings.



Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2 ... z1xZzV4Lsb

You have just got to love this. OU in basketball, and now KSU in the CWS. Guess this goes to prove that "mid-majors" can more than compete with the "big boys". Congrats to KSU, will definitely be pulling for the Golden Flashes.

Thanks for the info,Orange and Brown.Didn't know he was Athens County.Hall at GT.

Scott played for Kent State from 91-93 Then he played a few years of Minor League baseball.

I think he has won 2 or 3 MAC COY awards if I'm not mistaken....
This man is a heck of a recruiter and he knows the game of Baseball as good as anyone.

Bishtakes wrote:Congrats to Scott Stricklin and the the rest of the Golden Flashes for their first ever trip to the CWS...

Question Bishtakes:

Would you be happier if (a) Nelsonville-York had beaten Athens last year to finish 10-0 - and then went on to beat P-West and make the regional finals.

or

(B) Kent State winning the Super Regional over Oregon to make it to Omaha?

* Can only pick one.

The Razorbacks have decent pitching and they are fast! Kent can win this game if there defense stays tough up the middle...

Kent ST. vs Arkansas Saturday at 5:00pm ESPN

93...My answer is clearly Kent going to Omaha. I'm feeling a follow up question so fire away...

1st) I'm printing out your answer and handing it over to the folks inside the NY press box ... You may have your 'window seat' revoked ... Just sayin.

You've forced me to dig deep for another question ... I believe there is a certain 'senior-to-be Buckeye' that plays volleyball as well as basketball ...

Would you rather (a) The Lady Buckeyes sweep Athens this fall, dominate the TVC-Ohio while claiming a league title, squeak by a team like Wheelersburg for a district title - and then find a way to win at the regionals to advance to the State Tournament at Wright State. (Eastern did it last year & Alexander did it twice a few years back so it is possible)

or

(b) Kent State not only winning the super regional - but also winning its first game versus Arkansas Saturday?

93Bulldog wrote:1st) I'm printing out your answer and handing it over to the folks inside the NY press box ... You may have your 'window seat' revoked ... Just sayin.

You've forced me to dig deep for another question ... I believe there is a certain 'senior-to-be Buckeye' that plays volleyball as well as basketball ...

Would you rather (a) The Lady Buckeyes sweep Athens this fall, dominate the TVC-Ohio while claiming a league title, squeak by a team like Wheelersburg for a district title - and then find a way to win at the regionals to advance to the State Tournament at Wright State. (Eastern did it last year & Alexander did it twice a few years back so it is possible)

or

(b) Kent State not only winning the super regional - but also winning its first game versus Arkansas Saturday?

Thats just Brutal!!!!!!

I think there should be a 3rd option.......

Kent State wins it all and inspires the Lady Buckeyes to win it all themselves!!!

Take out the sweep over Athens & league title - and I'll choose "A" ... lol

Very easy question to answer and of course I will take option A. I have a van load going to Omaha and we are leaving in less than 3 hours. Wish the former Bulldog "Strick" good luck. Some scouts I know and myself believe that they have a legit shot at this title.

Bishtakes wrote:I have a van load going to Omaha and we are leaving in less than 3 hours.

Wow, poor Omaha - It has no idea what's about to stroll into their city ...

Have a safe trip!

- And great selection picking "A" ... I knew I could come up with something ...

I hope everyone is cheering on the Golden Flash today!!! They are playing a great game against a very good Florida Gator team!!!!

WOW ... WHAT AN ENDING ... KSU WINS 5-4!!!

BISHTAKES IS GOING NUTS IN OMAHA I'M SURE.

MACtion

To all you pitchers out there...JUST THROW STRIKES !!!!
Kent lost game one because pitcher could not start batters off with a strike. Hitters were swinging defensively and thank the good Lord above that they turned 4 double plays.
Last nights game started off with 3-0 count and 2-0 count and I thought..."Here we stinkin go again". Bores settles down, Kent continues to play outstanding "D" and finally smacked the ball around a little. Of course the ending put us on the edge of our seats.
I am so proud of what the Flashes have done and are doing. I had to explain to several idiots where Kent State was even located. My seat neighbor was there to watch Kent to see how good they really are and couldn't believe they beat Kentucky because Kentucky was ranked #1 for part of the season and how a great ball club. I had to remind him that Kent actually beat Kentucky twice...OH YEAH!!!
Tomorrow night at 8pm...tune in and cheer them on....Did you see me on ESPN on Saturday?

I seen a guy resembling Bishtakes huvering over a trash can during the wild 9th inning??? Appeared to be throwing up - either from too much kool-aid - or all the stress????

That blew.