Kent State's incredible 21-game winning streak came to an end late Sunday night in Eugene, as the Flashes dropped the second game of the Super Regional against Oregon. The Golden Flashes led for most of the game until a costly two-error seventh inning led to the three runs for the Ducks, who closed it out for the 3-2 win.
George Roberts opened the scoring for Kent with a massive blast to left field in the second inning. In his next at-bat, Roberts added to the lead with a ripped double to centerfield that scored catcher David Lyon. KSU would squander an opportunity to plate additional insurance in the fourth but they would hold the 2-0 lead until the Ducks' rally in the seventh. Ryan Bores had a strong start for Kent, but the hiccups on defense were his undoing in the three-run Oregon rally.
Kent had a chance to tie it in the bottom of the ninth but could not even it up after T.J. Sutton led off with a double. A sacrifice bunt try failed, stranding Sutton at second with one out. Oregon then brought on closer Jimmie Sherfy, who quickly struck out the final two batters to preserve the win. It was a frustrating loss but Kent will still have an opportunity to become the first MAC team to reach Omaha since 1976 with a win on Monday night.
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