CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fine pitching, timely hitting and some good defense handed Kent State (5-3) a 4-3 victory in the series-opener with Charlotte (5-4) on Friday.
Starter Eric Lauer had a dominant start to the game, throwing eight pitches in the first to get three quick outs. His only ball in the inning was the second-to last thrown.
In the bottom of the 3rd, the 49ers nearly struck first on a base hit, but Jacob Neuschaefer recorded an outfield assist to get the runner at home trying to score.