Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky University lost to Kent State, 4-2, in its season opener on Friday in Mobile, Alabama.
 
EKU (0-1) manufactured the game's first run in the top of the first inning.  Colby Ott was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single from Diego Alana.  With two outs later in the inning, sophomore catcher Silas Shaffer singled to right field for a 1-0 lead.
 
Two hits and a wild pitch to start the inning allowed Kent State to take the lead in the fourth.  Hayden Jatczak doubled and scored on a triple from Jake Casey.  After Casey came home on a wild pitch, EKU starter Ryker Walton struck out the next three batters.
 
KSU loaded the bases in the sixth, but the Colonels limited the damage to just one run.  The Golden Flashes tacked on another in the eighth.  Elijah Underhill drove in the Colonels' second run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
 
Mauri Bejarano had a 2-hit game for EKU, finishing 2-for-3.  Shaffer was 1-for-3 with an RBI.  Ott finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.  Walton allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
 
Jatczak had a 3-for-4 game with two doubles and two runs scored for Kent State (1-0).  Gavin Jones limited the Colonels to one run on four hits and struck out five in five innings of work.
 
The Colonels will be back in action on Saturday against Southern Illinois Edwardsville at 1 p.m. ET.