Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Sweep Doubleheader from Akron, 28-4 & 10-2
May 18, 2002 | Baseball
Junior Kelly Hunt began the day tied with former Falcon Lee Morrison for the single-season home record (18) and was just two bases behind him for the total-bases record in a season (149). The first baseman didn't waste any time in surpassing those records when he crushed a 2-1 pitch over the left-field wall in his first at-bat to give BGSU a 2-0 lead and himself two new school records (19 homers, 151 total bases). Junior Corey Loomis had reached with a single prior to Hunt's record-breaking home run in the first inning.
The Falcons put the game away in the second inning when they plated 14 runs in the bottom half of the frame. It marked the second time this season BGSU scored 14 runs in an inning (vs. Toledo, April 28).
In the second inning, the first seven Falcons to bat reached base. The highlights of the inning included a three-run single by Tim Newell, a two-run homer by Len Elias, a two-run homer by Loomis, a two-run double by David Barkholz, and a two-run single by Andy Hudak. BGSU collected 10 hits in the inning while Akron committed two errors.
BGSU added two runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth inning. In the fourth, Hunt hit his second homer of the game, 20th of the season, a two-run shot down the right-field line with Loomis aboard.
The Falcons added three in the fifth inning and five in the sixth inning. Hudak brought home four of the runs in the sixth frame when he hit a grand slam to right field, his ninth home run of the season.
Sophomore Kyle Knoblauch (6-1) earned his sixth win of the season, allowing just one run in six innings of work. He scattered eight hits, walked one and struck out three. Senior Brad Henry pitched the final inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits.
The 28 runs scored in the game were the most-ever scored by BGSU against a MAC opponent in 49 years in the conference. It was the highest run total for BGSU since scoring 29 vs. Xavier last season.
BGSU registered its 30th win of the season in game two of Saturday's doubleheader with a 10-2 decision against Akron. It marks the fourth time in the last five years that the Falcons have recorded 30 wins in a season.
In game two, the Falcons were held scoreless and hitless until the third inning. Freshman Jeff Warnock and sophomore David Barkholz led off the inning with singles before Tim Newell walked to load the bases. Corey Loomis then singled to right-field, bringing home Warnock, and a throwing error by Akron's right-fielder scored Barkholz. After the bases were loaded again with an intentional walk to Kelly Hunt, Len Elias brought home Newell via a sacrifice fly to center field for a 3-0 BGSU lead.
The Falcons plated another run in the fourth inning (RBI-single by Loomis, Warnock scored) for a 4-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, Barkholz scored on a throwing error by the shortstop and Hunt hit his third home run of the day (21st of the season), a two-run blast right field scoring Loomis.
Akron broke into the scoring column in the eighth inning before BGSU scored three in the bottom-half of the eighth. Elias hit a three-run home run to right field (ninth of the season) for BGSU's eighth, ninth and 10th runs of the game.
The Zips (18-32 overall, 8-18 MAC) scored a run in the top of the ninth inning.
Freshman Tyler Saneholtz (6-1) earned his sixth win of the year by pitching seven and two-third innings. He allowed just five hits, one run, three walks and struck out five.
BGSU (30-20 overall, 17-7 MAC) plays its final game of the regular season on Sunday, May 19, at Warren Steller Field beginning at 1 p.m. Six Falcon seniors will be recognized prior to the first pitch.
A BGSU win, and a Kent State loss at Miami University on Sunday, would give the Falcons their fourth East Division crown in five years and would make them the host team for next week's MAC Postseason Tournament (May 22-25).
FALCON NOTES:
* JR Kelly Hunt is seven RBIs away from the MAC single-season record set by KSU's John VanBenschoten last year (84).
* JR Kelly Hunt is now tied with former Falcon Larry Arndt (1982-85) for second place on BGSU's career home run list (35).
* SR Len Elias needs one more hit to become the career leader at BGSU in hits. He is currently tied with Chuck Black (1976-79) with 251 career hits.
* FR Jeff Warnock has scored eight runs in the first three games of the Akron series, including six singles in nine at-bats (.667).
