The Kent State Golden Flashes are making their first appearance in the College World Series Saturday when they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. This Kent State team is one made up of 27 Ohio-bred players, but there's a few in particular who almost didn't make the journey.
As Cleveland.com noted on Friday, pitcher Ryan Bores initially signed with Ohio University. designated hitter Nick Hamilton began his career at Xavier, catcher Troy Summers started out at Akron, pitcher Michael Clark first went to North Carolina State and pitcher Tyler Skulina started his college career at Virginia.
But it's Bores (9-3, 3.85 ERA), Kent State's starting pitcher for Monday's game, who has been with the most programs in the fewest amount of time. This is Bores college team in three years after going to Ohio University, then transferring to Cleveland State only to find out the program would be terminated shortly after.
He found a home with the Golden Flashes, though. And that much has landed him in the College World Series.
"Three schools in three years, but it's paid off. It's been a pretty good ride. Now I'm soaking it all in." - Ryan Bores
Kent State and Arkansas get underway Saturday at 5 p.m. ET
Read more about the College World Series and Kent State's quest for a national championship at our StoryStream and SB Nation Cleveland.