Penn State could put a vise's grip on the conference title provided that they win just one game. Even if Kent State won two of three, Penn State would win the season series at 3-2. However, they could also open the door for Kent State team much improved since Penn State saw them last.
Since the Lions swept a doubleheader versus Kent State two weekends ago at Beaver Field, the Golden Flashes have rattled off a 6-1 record against conference opponents Robert Morris and Bucknell.
"Kent State is definitely the toughest competition in the conference," Penn State third baseman Nate Decker said. "I think they're gonna be ready, they know what's at stake, too."
The teams' previous match-up yielded scores that are as close as they appear: 7-4 and 3-2. Kent State coach Scott Derouaux, also a Golden Flashes outfielder, said that they beat themselves in the first game as they walked 11 Penn State batters. The second game could have gone either way.
"We're pretty satisfied that we played with them [in the last series]," Derouaux said. "It would be nice to even up with Penn State and win three. It's going to be a difficult task."
Penn State carries a great deal of offensive momentum into the series, having scored 46 runs in last weekend's series versus Robert Morris. But the team will have to pay extra attention to playing solid defense and not making mistakes, in addition to not relying on walks to score runs.
"Last year we had a lot more power in the offense," Decker said. "[We could] put teams on their backside and they don't know what happened. We have to rely on pitching and defense."
This is especially true when Derouaux said that he was "very confident" that his team would not issue as many walks. In addition to being an improved team, Derouaux expects his team to be primed to play in front of a big home crowd, as it is Kent State's first home series of the season.
To avoid being surprised by a Kent State team that has "jelled together", according to Derouaux, Penn State will have to be sharp in what is expected to be their toughest conference test of the season.
"We've played well," Penn State pitching coach Bill Lippert said. "We can definitely play better."
Notes
Along with an undefeated conference record, Penn State will carry two New Penn West Conference weekly honors into this weekend's series. Senior shortstop Chris Connors was named player of the week for his six-hit torrent versus Robert Morris, which included a home run, a double and two triples.
Freshman pitcher Pete Chalfin won pitcher of the week for the second week in a row, having tossed a complete game, striking out 15 Colonials and allowing just two hits.
