Kent State 'shocks the world' and stays alive in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. - Kent State struck quickly against the top-ranked Florida Gators Monday night in Omaha scoring four runs in the first two innings and holding on to eliminate Florida 5-4 and live to play another day.

The win for Kent State is their first College World Series win in the school's history. It also guarantees they will live to play another day.

The Flashes jumped on Florida starter Hudson Randall for a run in the first inning. Randall would leave after just 16 pitches due to dehydration. Kent struck for three more runs in the second after consecutive singles by Jimmy Rider, David Lyon and George Roberts increased the Golden Flashes lead to 4-0.

Florida answered with a run in the third on an RBI single by Mike Zunino.

Jimmy Rider scored after back-to-back wild pitches in the fourth inning to give the Golden Flashes what proved to be the game-winning run and make a winner out of starter Ryan Bores of Strongsville.

Bores, who has earned the nickname, "Big Game," was big game again for Kent. Bores, in temperatures that reached 102 degrees on the field, gave the Flashes six solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out one and walking two.

Josh Pierce survived a rocky ninth inning, including a huge check swing third strike called by third base umpire Jeff Henrichs. Justin Shafer then flew out to end the game and Kent is moving on.

The Flashes will play Wednesday at 8 p.m. against two-time defending college world series champ South Carolina.

Follow Mike Cairns on Twitter: @MikeCairns5 for the most up to date information on the Golden Flashes in Omaha and watch Mike's reports on NewsChannel5 at 5, 6 and 11 p.m.