SB Nation Cleveland - College World Series 2012: Kent State's Incredible Run Ends With Loss To South Carolinahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-06-24T19:47:02-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28138732012-06-24T19:47:02-05:002012-06-24T19:47:02-05:002012 College World Series: Kent State Players Earn All-America Honors
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<p>After an amazing post-season runt hat say the Golden Flashes reach the College World Series for the first time ever several Kent State players are earning some well deserved post-season honors. Senior shortstop Jimmy Rider was the first, earning a first-team All-America <a href="http://www.kentstatesports.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120622zqw7gv">nod from Baseball America</a>:</p>
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<p>Rider is one of eight seniors in the country to garner such honors and is the first Kent State student-athlete to be named to the first team in program history. <b>Mike Gulan</b> (third baseman, 1992) and <b>Emmanuel Burriss</b> (shortstop, 2006) garnered Second Team honors from Baseball America.</p>
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<p>Catcher David Lyon has also earned post-season honors, being named a second team All-American <a href="http://www.kentstatesports.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120623b4txeg">for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award</a>:</p>
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<p>Lyon is joined on the Second Team by Jacksonville State pitcher Todd Hornsby, Kentucky third baseman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/admin/entries/">Thomas McCarthy</a>, Louisiana State shortstop Austin Nola and Army infielder Zach Price. Florida State outfielder James Ramsey won the 2012 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and is joined on the First Team by Clemson catcher/first baseman/outfielder Phil Pohl, South Carolina pitcher/first baseman Michael Roth, Texas A&M pitcher Ross Stripling and Florida infielder/outfielder Preston Tucker.</p>
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<p>A total of six players were drafted by Major League Baseball as well.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/24/3115213/college-world-series-2012Travis Miller2012-06-24T09:27:11-05:002012-06-24T09:27:11-05:00College World Series 2012: South Carolina, Arizona Begin Championship Series On Sunday
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<p>The South Carolina Gamecocks are two wins away from a third-straight College World Series title, but they'll have to get past one of the hottest teams in the country to do so.</p>
<p>To simply reach the Finals, Ray Tanner's Gamecock squad had to beat Kent State and Arkansas (twice) in a 36-hour span. That's been the hallmark of this South Carolina program over the past few years: resiliency. South Carolina (49-18) replaced five starters from last season's National Championship team but got nice contributions from guys like LB Dantzler and, of course, ace lefty Michael Roth to get back to Omaha.</p>
<p>For all the hoopla surrounding Carolina, this Arizona squad seems content to sit in the background and simply play ball. The Wildcats (46-17) have won eight straight postseason games and have yet to lose in the NCAA Tournament. They're seeking the program's fourth national title.</p>
<p>Arizona, led by Pac-12 Player of the Year Alex Mejia, Johnny Field, Robert Refsnyder and Bobby Brown, among others, finished fourth in the country this season in batting average (.330) and sixth in scoring (7.4 runs per game).</p>
<p>The Wildcats will send sophomore righty Konner Wade (10-3) to the hill in Game 1. Wade spun a complete-game five-hit shutout of UCLA in Arizona's CWS opener. Tanner is undecided on a starter for the Gamecocks.</p>
<p>First pitch on ESPN2 is scheduled for 8 pm Eastern.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament, stay right here with </i><b><a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton%20">SB Nation Cleveland's StoryStream</a><i>. </i><a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com">Hustle Belt</a></b><i> has more coverage of Kent State and the Mid-American Conference.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/24/3114236/2012-college-world-series-south-carolina-arizona-championship-seriesFoster Lander2012-06-23T09:03:18-05:002012-06-23T09:03:18-05:00College World Series 2012: South Carolina To Face Arizona In Championship Finals
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<p>The South Carolina Gamecocks ended the post-season run of the Kent State Golden Flashes on Thursday with a 4-1 win to remain alive in the double-elimination portion of the College World Series.</p>
<p>That was just the start of a busy two days for the South Carolina as rain and an undefeated Arkansas team forced the Gamecocks to play and win three games in two days in order to win Bracket 2 of the CWS and advance to the Championship Finals series against the Arizona Wildcats.</p>
<p>No rest for the weary now, as the two-time defending champion Gamecocks will catch their breath on Saturday before taking a shot at their third-straight title starting Sunday night in the best of three series.</p>
<p><b>Championship Series (Best-of-Three)</b><br>Game 1: Arizona vs. South Carolina, Sunday, June 24, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN<br>Game 2: Arizona vs. South Carolina, Monday, June 25, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN<br>Game 3 (if necessary): Arizona vs. South Carolina, Tuesday, June 26, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN</p>
<p><i>For more 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament coverage, be sure to stay right here with <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton"><b>SB Nation Cleveland's StoryStream</b></a>. For more coverage of Kent State and the Mid-American Conference, check out <a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/"><b>Hustle Belt</b></a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/23/3112571/2012-college-world-series-south-carolina-gamecocks-arizona-wildcatsTom Lewis2012-06-21T19:35:13-05:002012-06-21T19:35:13-05:00College World Series 2012: Kent State Won't Waste Any Time Working To Get Back To Omaha
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<p>The Kent State Golden Flashes' magical run through the NCAA baseball tournament suddenly ended with a loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the College World Series on Thursday. While it may be tough to digest the finality of the season-ending loss after riding high for so long, Kent State manager Scott Stricklin realizes there is no time to look back.</p>
<p>Instead, Stricklin is ready to make up for lost time on the recruiting trail and see if some quality players liked what they saw from the Flashes in the NCAA Tournament.</p>
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<p>"We're behind in recruiting right now," head coach Scott Stricklin said after Thursday's elimination from the College World Series. "We'll be on the road very quickly to catch up.</p>
<p>"We're not able to see recruits because we're out here, but recruits have been able to see us. That's the biggest key to coming out here, you're in the limelight, you're on the national stage. And the kids you've been in contact with for the last year have gotten to see us play."</p>
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<p>One thing this tournament has proven is that good pitching is critical and Stricklin would like to attract a few fresh arms to join him in Northeast Ohio. He's also looking for help in the outfield and behind the plate to help sustain the current success into the future. After making their run to the CWS in Omaha some of those quality recruits will be looking for Kent State, as well.</p>
<p><i>For more 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament coverage, be sure to stay right here with <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton"><b>SB Nation Cleveland's StoryStream</b></a>. For more coverage of Kent State and the Mid-American Conference, check out <a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/"><b>Hustle Belt</b></a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/21/3109176/kent-state-college-world-series-2012-reactionTom Lewis2012-06-21T13:49:55-05:002012-06-21T13:49:55-05:00Kent State Vs. South Carolina Final Score: Golden Flashes Eliminated In 4-1 Loss
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<p>The Kent State Golden Flashes just couldn't keep their thrilling run alive on Thursday, falling to South Carolina in an elimination game. The game ended 4-1 in South Carolina's favor as Michael Roth pitched a two-hitter to stem the Flashes and their strong run.</p>
<p>Their run included a 5-4 win over the No. 1-seeded Florida Gators and three SEC opponent victims in total. But they ran into South Carolina, who had won 22-straight postseason games prior to falling to Arkansas and being put into this elimination matchup. South Carolina will now go on to take on Arkansas again on Thursday night as part of a double header due to the rain-out on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Grayson Greiner and Chase Vergason hit RBI singles in the second inning to take the 2-1 lead the Gamecocks would not relinquish. LB Dantzler hit a homerun in the third inning against Tyler Skulina to put the Gamecocks up 3-1. In the second inning, Sawyer Polen had an RBI single for the Golden Flashes, but after that point, Roth struck out eight batters without walking anyone. Roth was as advertised, retiring the final 22 batters he faced in order on his way to the third complete game of his career.</p>
<p>It was a dominating performance by Roth. Had he been even slightly off, Kent State may have been able to extend their strong postseason play. In its first College World Series appearance, Kent State finished with a 1-2 record.</p>
<p><i>For more 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament coverage, be sure to stay right here with <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton"><b>SB Nation Cleveland's StoryStream</b></a>. For more coverage of Kent State and the Mid-American Conference, check out <a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/"><b>Hustle Belt</b></a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/21/3108374/kent-state-vs-south-carolina-final-score-elimination-college-world-seriesJames Brady2012-06-21T07:53:37-05:002012-06-21T07:53:37-05:00College World Series 2012: Postponed Kent State Vs. South Carolina Game Set For Noon Thursday
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<p>After getting rained out Wednesday, Kent State and South Carolina will play Thursday at noon Eastern in Bracket 2 of the College World Series.</p>
<p>Each team comes in with one loss, so the loser will be sent packing while the winner will turn around and play Arkansas at 9 p.m. Eastern -- also on Thursday.</p>
<p><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2018484913_apbbccwsscarolinakentstrainout.html" target="_blank">According to the Associated Press</a>, the weather hasn't affected Kent State's pitching plans. Tyler Skulina, 11-2, will make his scheduled start against South Carolina. Should the Golden Flashes defeat the two-time defending CWS champion Gamecocks, then David Starn, 11-4, or Ryan Mace, 2-3, would likely start against Arkansas.</p>
<p>In Bracket 1, Florida State beat UCLA on Tuesday. The Seminoles advanced to play undefeated Arizona on Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>Should the Noles win, the two teams would play again Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern; if the Wildcats win, they will advance to the championship against the winner of Bracket 2.</p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/21/3105433/2012-college-world-series-kent-stateDavid Vranicar2012-06-20T21:18:54-05:002012-06-20T21:18:54-05:00Kent State Vs. South Carolina, 2012 College World Series: Game Postponed Due To Rain
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<p>The Kent State-South Carolina College World Series game has been postponed to Thursday due to rain.</p>
<p>The Golden Flashes and the Gamecocks were <i>supposed</i> to <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/20/3097935/south-carolina-vs-kent-state-2012-college-world-series/in/2813873" target="_blank">match up in an elimination game on Wednesday night</a>, but the weather in Omaha had other plans. Heavy showers moved into the area about an hour before the first pitch was scheduled to be thrown and the rain continued into the night. The game was delayed, then postponed.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 15px;">The first pitch is now scheduled for 12:08 p.m. ET on Thursday afternoon. It will air on ESPN2. </span></p>
<p>If the Golden Flashes win, they will play twice on Thursday. There will be a triple-header of CWS games Thursday, with Arizona playing Florida State at 4:08 p.m ET and the winner of Kent State-South Carolina playing Arkansas at 8:08 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>Read more about the College World Series and Kent State's quest for a national championship at our <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton">StoryStream</a> and <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Cleveland</a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/20/3104873/kent-state-south-carolina-2012-college-world-series-game-postponed-rainJames Herbert2012-06-20T09:00:35-05:002012-06-20T09:00:35-05:00Kent State Vs. South Carolina, 2012 CWS: Upset-Minded Golden Flashes Hope To Avoid Elimination
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<p>Without question two of the most intriguing teams remaining in the 2012 College World Series, the Kent State Golden Flashes and South Carolina Gamecocks will clash on Wednesday night for an all-important elimination game.</p>
<p>One of college baseball's dominant forces lately, South Carolina's 22-game postseason win streak came to an abrupt halt against Arkansas over the weekend, forcing USC into its first must-win situation in two years. Polar opposites as the resident Cinderella of the field, the Golden Flashes will be looking to oust their 3rd SEC opponent of the tournament if they can pull off yet another upset after already having dispensed of Florida and Kentucky.</p>
<p>With so much media focus on the game, South Carolina coach Ray Tanner <a href="http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1376912&PT=4&PR=2">is well aware of Kent State's propensity to leave elite-caliber squads scratching their heads</a>. "They're very good," Tanner said. "I got a chance to watch them in the Super Regional against Oregon. They had a hard-fought game [Sunday] and they were able to hang on and win."</p>
<p>The two teams will get underway at 8:00 p.m ET on Wednesday with a trip to college baseball's version of the Final Four on the line. The game can be seen on television at ESPN or online through the <a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index">Watch ESPN app</a>.</p>
<p><i>Read more about the College World Series and Kent State's quest for a national championship at our <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/5/29/3049832/ncaa-baseball-tournament-2012-kent-state-dayton">StoryStream</a> and <a href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com">SB Nation Cleveland</a>. </i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/6/20/3097935/south-carolina-vs-kent-state-2012-college-world-seriesDave Ryan