Avon Lake, Avon residents are headed to the College World Series

Two Kent State baseball players from Avon and Avon Lake will continue with the dream season of a lifetime this weekend when they participate in the 2012 College World Series.

Nick Hamilton of Avon Lake and Josh Pierce of Avon will represent Kent State University on Saturday in Omaha.

Kent State bested Oregon, 3-2 June 11 in Eugene, OR to advance to the first round of the World Series on June 16.

Hamilton, who wears no. 7 for the Golden Flashes, is an graduate and son of Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton. He was  selected by the Tribe in the MLB draft earlier this month. Hamilton, a junior infielder, played one season at Xavier before transferring to Kent State. He played third base at Avon Lake High School, earning First Team All-Ohio, Southwestern Conference Most Valuable Player and Lorain County Co-Player of the Year recognition and setting school records with a .481 batting average and a .625 on-base percentage during his senior season. He is an Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award winner.

Pierce, who wears no. 8 for Kent, is a freshman pitcher was an all-county and all-conference selection at under head coach Frank DeSmit. He also competed for the Ohio Orioles under head coach D.J. Santiago in addition to playing for the Midwest Redbirds and competing in the East Coast Pro Showcase.