GREENSBORO, NC Despite jumping out to an early lead, UNC Greensboro fell to No. 18 Kent State, 9-6, in an 11 inning contest on Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

Anthony Gallas' two-run home run in the top of the eighth tied the game at 6 for the Golden Flashes (2-0) and Ben Klafczynski hit a three-run homer in the top of the 11^th to seal the win for the visitors.

Sophomore Drew Gehringer led the way for the Spartans (0-2) on the afternoon after hitting 2-5 with two RBI, including a solo home run in the third inning.

Andrew Chafin (1-0) took the win after pitching two innings of relief, while Greg Smith (0-1) took the loss for the Spartans.

The Spartans put last night's game behind them early after pushing three runs across the plate in the first to take the early lead. Pedro Leon led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a stolen base to open the game. Ray Quinones singled to left field to knock in the first run of the afternoon. Quinones would advance to second on a balk before Drew Gehringer knocked him in with a double to left field. Gehringer scored the third run of the inning after Joey Frabasile's fly ball to left field was muffed.

Kent State got on the board for the first time in the third inning after Chris Tremblay hit a leadoff double down the left field line. Jimmy Rider was up next for the Golden Flashes and was able to hit a single down the right field to make the score 3-1 in favor of the Spartans.

UNCG answered in the bottom of the third with a run of its own after Gehringer's hit a solo blast over the left center wall to give the Spartans a 4-1 advantage.

The Golden Flashes were able to knot the game at 4 after a few well-timed hits. Travis Shaw began the rally with a single to left field and scored on a double by Klafczynski. Klafczynski advanced to third after David Lyon struck out, but advanced to first on a wild pitch. After a balk was called on Blake Hassebrock, Klafczynski scored to make it 4-3.  The Golden Flashes were able to tie the score at 4 after Tremblay singled to center field to knock in Lyon.

The Spartans wouldn't go down without a fight as they retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a two out two-run single by pinch hitter Trevor Edwards. Kent State pitcher Robert Sabo walked Ed Jayjack, Brent O'Berry and Raymond Frias to load the bases with two outs in the inning. Edwards came in to pinch hit for Alex Frederick and hit a bloop single down the left field line to put UNCG back ahead, 6-4. 

Kent State rallied once again to tie the game at 6 in the top of the eighth.  Tremblay led off the inning with a single to right field before Greg Smith came in to relieve Matt Parish and get the next two batters to strike out.  With two outs in the eighth inning, Gallas stepped to the plate for the Golden Flashes and lifted a ball over the left field wall to tie the game.

The Spartans were able to threaten in the bottom of the ninth after loading the bases with just one out in the inning.  O'Berry led off with a single to center field before Raymond Frias and Kris Richards walked to load the bases. Kent State pitcher Justin Gill got Leon to strike out and Corey Overholtzer to ground out to the third baseman to end the threat.

After a scoreless tenth inning, Gallas singled to lead off the eleventh inning.  A Jason Patton single pushed Gallas over to third with two outs in the inning.  Klafczynski then came up and hit a three run home run to left center field that just barely cleared the fence.

The Spartans return to the field on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the series with the Golden Flashes.  The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

AGATE

No. 18 Kent State 9, UNC Greensboro 6

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Kent State...............001 003 020 03 -  9  14  1      (2-0)

UNC Greensboro......301 000 200 00 -  6  10  1      (0-2)

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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Alex Shelton, Blake Hassebrock, Matt Parish, Greg Smith. Kent State Jon Pokorny, Alan Morrison, Robert Sabo, Justin Gill, Andrew Chafin.

Win-Andrew Chafin (1-0) Loss-Greg Smith (0-1)  T-4:28  A-327

HR Kent State Anthony Gallas (1), Ben Klafczynski (1). UNCG Drew Gehringer (1).

- UNCG -