The Kent State Golden Flashes saw their tournament hopes dim on Thursday night as they were shut out 8-0 by the Toledo Mud Hens in the second round of the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Toledo struck first, plating two runs in the opening frame after a groundout by Jp Wagner and an error by Ripken Reese, setting a tone that would carry through the game.
Veteran left-hander Fliss dominated the early going, fanning eight batters while walking only two over seven innings, but the Flashes' offense could not find a rhythm against his mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches.
A tough night for the Golden Flashes
The breakthrough came in the third inning when Grady Mee slid into third base, but a timely defensive play left him stranded, underscoring the team's inability to capitalize on scoring chances.
Toledo extended its lead in the fifth with a four-run burst, highlighted by RBI singles from Troy Sudbrook, Charlie Scholvin and Jp Wagner, before Liam Arsich added a two-run single in the sixth to push the margin to 8-0.
Starter Easton Tumis surrendered six runs in five innings, after which relievers Jordan Kolenda and Alex Alberico took the mound, but the damage had already been done. With the loser of the upcoming Kent State-Miami (OH) matchup eliminated, the Flashes now face a must-win situation on Friday at 9 a.m.