A capsule look at the third game of the College World Series, set for a 4 p.m. start on Saturday.
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KENT STATE (46-18)
Pitcher: LH David Starn (11-3, 2.21 ERA)
Top hitters: 1B George Roberts (.368, 8 HRs, 64 RBIs), SS Jimmy Rider (.364, 5 HRs, 56 RBIs), DH Nick Hamilton (.347, 1 HR, 35 RBIs)
How they got here: After winning in 21 innings against Kentucky, the Golden Flashes swept the regional and survived three thrillers at Oregon, winning on the final pitch of the super regional.
Trends: Kent State has outscored its opponents 161-62 in winning 22 of its past 23 games. The Golden Flashes have hit .309 during that span.
Kent State will win if: Starn can give the Golden Flashes a quality start. Prior to the NCAA tournament, the senior left-hander had not allowed more than three earned runs in his 15 starts (1.82 ERA). In his two tournament starts, Starn has allowed eight earned runs (four each game) in 121⁄3 innings (5.84 ERA).
ARKANSAS (44-20)
Pitcher: RH DJ Baxendale (7-5, 3.18 ERA)
Top hitters: 3B Matt Reynolds (.338, 7 HRs, 43 RBIs), SS Tim Carver (.304, 2 HRs, 30 RBIs), 1B Dominic Ficociello (.301, 6 HRs, 40 RBIs)
How they got here: Four of the Razorbacks’ five tournament wins have come by one run. They swept through the Houston regional, then won two elimination games at Baylor to earn their seventh CWS trip.
Trends: Arkansas has had success in the early innings this season. The Razorbacks have outscored their opponents 58-22 in the first inning.
Arkansas will win if: The bullpen continues to shine. In 11 innings of the final two games of the super regional, Razorback relievers gave up just seven hints and two runs. Arkansas has a collection of power arms capable of bridging the innings between its starters and closer Barrett Astin.
