DEKALB, Ill. – Kent State freshman Justin Kirby became the first Golden Flash to hit three home runs in a game since April 2005, but the Flashes (16-19, 5-6 MAC) fell to Northern Illinois (12-25, 8-5 MAC) 17-11 in the series opener Friday night in DeKalb, Ill. Kirby led a Kent State offense that notched 11 runs on 15 hits, going 4-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs and four runs scored.
Kent State's 11 runs on 15 hits with seven errors by the Husky defense proved not to be enough as Northern Illinois collected 17 hits of their own, including three home runs.