Kent State University
Wright State University
Kent State Looks to Build Momentum in Midweek Trip at Wright State
2/24/2026 6:32:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Coming off a big weekend series at No. 20 Tennessee, the Kent State Golden Flashes (5-2) hit the road for a midweek Horizon League clash at Wright State (1-5) on Wednesday afternoon. With a 5-2 record and a chance to gain some positive momentum heading into the weekend, the Flashes will look to take advantage of a Raiders squad that has struggled significantly out of the gate.
Kent State's Offense Looking for a Spark
The Flashes have been carried offensively by one player above just about all others, and that trend isn't likely to change Wednesday. Sawyer Solitaria continues to be one of the most dangerous hitters in the country, batting .517 with four home runs, eight RBI, and 12 runs scored through seven games. He leads the MAC in hits (15), runs (12), and total bases (29), and ranks 33rd nationally in batting average and 22nd in slugging percentage (1.000). He's been virtually automatic at the plate and will be the focal point of Wright State's defensive planning.
The rest of the lineup has had some ups and downs, but there are reasons for optimism. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe leads the team with 10 RBI and has been a reliable run producer in the middle of the order. Grady Mee has done a little of everything, drawing six walks, swiping three bags, and chipping in seven RBI, while Luke Matthews has been hit by a pitch five times — third-best in the MAC — and has drawn four walks, giving him an impressive .424 on-base percentage. Getting on base by any means necessary could pay dividends against a Wright State pitching staff that has struggled to throw strikes.
That last point is key. The Raiders have issued 41 walks in 48.2 innings pitched, ranking 277th nationally with 7.58 walks allowed per nine innings. Kent State's patient approach at the plate. The Flashes have drawn 37 walks as a team, good for 5th in the MAC, which sets up nicely against a Wright State staff with command issues.
Wright State's Offense is a Work in Progress
The Raiders have been one of the more anemic offenses in the country through six games, hitting just .210 as a team and scoring only 16 runs, which ranks 293rd nationally at 2.7 runs per game. Their best hitter has been Hunter Warren, who is slashing .368/.478/.684 with two home runs, while JP Peltier (.286) and Cy Turner (.400 in five games) have provided some bright spots. But as a team, Wright State has struck out 84 times and walked just 15, a strikeout-to-walk ratio that paints a grim picture. Cam Gilkerson is hitless in 13 at-bats, and Parker Falkenstein has managed just one hit in 11 tries while striking out nine times.
One area where the Raiders have been surprisingly effective is turning double plays, where they lead the Horizon League and rank 5th nationally with nine twin killings in six games. Kent State's baserunners will need to be smart and avoid running into outs against a defense that has shown it can capitalize on mistakes.
On the Mound: Krzysiak vs. Lax
Kent State will hand the ball to junior right-hander Brody Krzysiak, who has been one of the more reliable arms out of the Flashes' bullpen this season. Krzysiak carries a 0.00 ERA through five innings of work across three appearances, with six strikeouts and a save to his credit. He has not allowed an earned run this season and has shown strong command, walking none in his outings. Wednesday will be his second career start, and how deep he can go into the game will go a long way toward determining how much the rest of the bullpen is taxed. Nick Guidas (1.08 ERA) and Evan Holewinski (2.57 ERA) figure to be the primary options behind him if needed.
On the other side, Wright State will counter with Chet Lax, the only Raider pitcher with a win on the year. Lax has made two appearances and logged 5.1 innings with a 6.75 ERA, striking out seven batters, which is the most of any pitcher in the Wright State rotation. While he's shown the ability to miss bats, he's also allowed five runs and has had trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark, surrendering a home run in his time on the mound. Kent State's power-heavy lineup, led by Solitaria, will look to make him pay for any mistake pitches early.
The Bottom Line
On paper, this is a favorable matchup for Kent State. Wright State is one of the lower-ranked teams in the Horizon League across virtually every offensive and pitching category, and the Flashes have the pitching depth and lineup talent to control this game from the outset. With Solitaria rolling, a patient approach at the plate, and a bullpen that has quietly been one of the better units in the MAC, the Flashes are well-positioned to come home with a win.
A midweek victory on Wednesday would push Kent State to 6-2 and provide a confidence boost heading into their home opener versus Rhode Island this weekend.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Nischwitz Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.
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