Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont baseball struggled to find a rhythm Friday night as they dropped a 17-3 decision to the Kent State Golden Flashes who's bats were on fire.
Belmont struck early with sophomore Matt Cogen (Franklin, Tenn.) kicking things off offensively with a rocket to left field to reach first base. Two batters later, senior Ben Kocher (Zionsville, Ind.) recorded another hit to send Cogen home for the first run of the game.
Kent State blew things open in the top of the second inning scoring five runs as senior Tyler Vaugn (Jonesboro, Ill.) struggled to find a rhythm on the bump. Midway through the top of the second, sophomore Jack Rettig (Mahomet, Ill.) took over the mound through the Bruins.
The Bruins looked to get back on track after giving up a big inning in the top of the second, but Belmont had two straight three up, three down innings at the plate. Despite sitting down the first batter, Belmont would give up another run in the top of the fourth.
Belmont threatened in the bottom of the fourth loading the bases with only one out, but the next wo batters were struck out and flied out to retire the side. Belmont left the bases loaded three times on the night. Belmont would score their second and third runs in the bottom of the fifth. Junior Hunter Holland (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) led off the inning with a double to right field. Cogen and junior Chas Hadden (Morristown, Tenn.) kept the momentum going, both knocking base hits. Hadden's hit drove in Holland for the Bruin's second run of the night. Kocher would then hit a sacrifice fly to send Cogen home.
Kent State would score one run each in the fourth, fifth, and six innings while striking twice in the seventh and seven times in the ninth.
Sophomore Brandon Liskey (Harrisonburg, Va.) and freshman Chandler Schultz (Nashville, Tenn.) saw productive time on the mound striking out one and two batters respectively. Freshman Edgar Parker (Jamestown, Tenn.) and sophomore Michael Matter (Ft. Myers, Fla.) also made appearances on the bump for the Bruins.
Belmont registered eight hits on the night, relinquishing 17, and sat down six.
UP NEXT
Belmont will be back in action Saturday Feb. 24 at 1:00 p.m. at E.S. Rose Park.
