The 2012 College World Series continues on Saturday with the bottom half of the eight-team bracket. The Kent St. Golden Flashes and the Arkansas Razorbacks begin the day with Game 3 of the Omaha-based tournament. The Golden Flashes are looking to do what the Stony Brook Seawolves were unable to do on Friday: upset a higher seed. Stony Brook entered the tournament as a No. 4 regional seed and fell, 9-1, to the UCLA Bruins.
Kent State (46-18) is a No. 3 seed facing the No. 2 Razorbacks. It's been a bit of a marathon for the Golden Flashes to reach this point: a 21-inning victory over Kentucky in the regionals, a sweep through the Gary, Ind., regional and then taking two of three against the Oregon Ducks in the Super Regionals. Kent State split the first two game of that series and then won Game No. 3 on a pop ball to left field with a runner on second base.
For this game, the Golden Flashes turn to David Starn (11-3, 2.21 ERA), who started Game 1 against Oregon. Despite issuing seven walks, Starn made it through 6.1 innings and allowed four runs. First baseman George Roberts leads the team with a .368 batting average and 64 RBI. Shortstop Jimmy Rider isn't far behind with his .364 batting average and 56 RBI. Catcher David Lyon has hit 10 home runs.
Arkansas (44-20) swept through the regionals, winning two of the three games by one run each. In the Super Regionals, Arkansas dropped the first game to Baylor, 8-1 then won the final two games, 5-4 and 1-0 (10 innings), to reach Omaha.
D.J. Baxendale (7-5, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound looking to rebound from his loss to Baylor. He allowed five runs on six hits in four innings of work. Third baseman Matt Reynolds is the team's leading hitter with a .338 average, seven home runs and 43 RBI.
Game time/date: 3:00 p.m. MT, Saturday, June 16, 2012
Location: TD Ameritrade Park, Omaha, Neb.
Broadcast: ESPN/WatchESPN
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For a complete bracket, visit NCAA.com.
