Kent State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Golden Flashes travel south for season-opener at Southeastern Louisiana
2/12/2026 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
HAMMOND, La. –– The Kent State Golden Flashes open their 2026 campaign with a challenging three-game road series against Southeastern Louisiana, traveling south to Hammond for what should be a measuring-stick weekend between two 2025 conference champions.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE MEETS CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Both programs arrive with hardware from 2025. Kent State claimed a share of the MAC regular season title and enters as D1Baseball's preseason favorites to repeat, while the Lions captured the Southland Conference regular season crown. This weekend will pit two teams accustomed to winning against each other early in the season.
The Flashes bring a lineup that terrorized MAC pitching last spring, finishing fourth nationally in scoring at 9.5 runs per game, sixth in on-base percentage (.430), and 20th in stolen bases (129).Â
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
Kent State's offense is built around experience and production. Leadoff man Luke Matthews, an All-MAC Second Team shortstop, sets the table after hitting .354/.438/.476 with 18 stolen bases in 2025. His contact-oriented approach and baserunning instincts give the Flashes an immediate threat at the top of the order.
The heart of the lineup features Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list member Sawyer Solitaria, who moves from designated hitter to right field after posting an .880 OPS with eight home runs as the 2025 MAC Freshman of the Year. Catcher Brody Williams, ranked by D1Baseball as the nation's 30th-best backstop, provides lineup protection from the cleanup spot after slashing .341/.457/.530 with remarkable plate discipline.
Sophomore center fielder Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe brings game-changing speed after leading the team with 25 stolen bases as a freshman, while left fielder Alejandro Covas posted a .967 OPS and went a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen base attempts. First baseman Hunter Klotz and switch-hitting second baseman Ripken Reese (.410 OBP) add depth and versatility to a lineup with few holes.
Transfer Grady Mee, who led the MAC in stolen bases (26) at Western Michigan last year, gives Kent State even more speed and a .448 career OBP from the second base position.
PITCHING: THE BIG QUESTION
While the offense returns largely intact, the pitching staff faces significant roster turnover. Kent State lost its top starter from 2025, Jacob Bean (now at Louisville), and closer Peyton Cariaco (who joined the coaching staff).
The Flashes will counter with a rebuilt rotation featuring three different looks. Friday's assignment goes to right-hander Ciaran Caughey, followed Saturday by Easton Tumis, a Texas transfer who went 3-1 with a 5.08 ERA in 21 appearances for the Longhorns in 2024, and Ben Rabatin on Sunday.
The bullpen features NCBWA Stopper of the Year preseason watch list member Caden Leonard, who posted a 3-0 record with a 4.13 ERA and 35 strikeouts against 11 walks over 28.1 innings in 2025.Â
THE OPPONENT
Southeastern Louisiana presents a formidable challenge, particularly on the mound. The Lions return significant pitching depth despite losing ace Brennan Stuprich to professional baseball. Brady St. Pierre, last year's Southland Relief Pitcher of the Year, moves into the Friday starter role after saving nine games with a 3.62 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. His low-to-mid-90s fastball and high-spin breaking ball give him starter's stuff.
Saturday's Lakin Polk and Sunday's Blake Lobell combined to go 11-1 with a 3.41 ERA in weekend roles last season, giving the Lions an experienced, proven rotation. The bullpen features live arms in righties Truitt Webb (2.31 ERA as closer) and Nick Gisclair, plus lefty Nik Toups.
Offensively, center fielder Dane Watts leads returning hitters after slashing .342/.438/.542, while first baseman Peyton Woods and second baseman Ben Robichaux provide middle-of-the-order thump. The Lions added transfers from LSU (catcher Blaise Priester), Louisiana (shortstop Connor Cuff), Tennessee (third baseman Alex Perry), and Division II All-American outfielder Justin Williams from UT Tyler.
FIRST PITCH
Friday's series opener is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, with Saturday and Sunday's games to follow. The Flashes begin their quest to return to an NCAA Regional for the first time since 2018, and a successful weekend in Hammond would send an early message that Kent State is ready to compete with anyone, anywhere.
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