The Kent St. Golden Flashes are going to the 2012 College World Series following its 3-2 victory over the Oregon Ducks on Monday night. This is their first appearance ever in Omaha, Neb.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Kent State won it on a Jimmy Rider double down the left field line with a runner scoring from second base. Left fielder Brett Thomas and shortstop J.J. Altobelli both converged on the ball after it appeared that Thomas lost the ball in the sun, which he did. Derek Toadvine, who reached on a walk to start the inning, came around to score the winning run.
The Golden Flashes held a 2-0 lead after the first two innings, scoring runs on a single and a double play. Oregon bounced back with a Ryon Healy two-run single in the top of the eighth inning. Kent State starter Tyler Skulina threw 5.2 innings of two-hit ball.
Kent State joins Stony Brook as the second team from the North of the United States to make the College World Series in Omaha. The other teams there are Arizona, Florida, Florida St., South Carolina and UCLA. The Arkansas-Baylor game is currently in progress and waiting to decide the eighth and final spot.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For a complete bracket, visit NCAA.com. For additional coverage, head over to Oregon blog Addicted To Quack.