University, City Celebrate Kent State Baseball's Inspirational Season

About 400 fans came to congratulate the baseball team on a job well done Thursday night at the univeristy grand ballroom. 

"You put Kent on the map for another good thing, and that's what it's all about," said Kent mayor Jerry Fiala, adding the team's season was a victory for everyone.

Fiala proclaimed June 28, 2012 to be Kent State University baseball day. State Rep. Kathleen Clyde presented the team with a letter from the Ohio Statehouse, and Emilio Ferrara presented the team with a resolution from the university's board of trustees. 

Head coach Scott Stricklin said a baseball organizer once told him if the team won in Eugene OR, they would likely head straight to Omaha, NB, for the College World Series. Still, the team packed for a five day trip, not 15, Stricklin joked.

It became real to him just before landing when the pilot announced "Welcome to Omaha," Stricklin said, pausing for several seconds as his eyes grew shiny with tears.

Stricklin said he still hasn't found a word to describe the season a week after the Flashes ended their first-ever run in the College World Series with a 4-1 loss to South Carolina.

"Expectations for next year have gone highter, but that's a good thing," he said.