Kent State Golden Flashes Picked First in D1 Baseball MAC Preseason Rankings
2/9/2026 4:52:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State baseball program has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference championship by D1 Baseball, marking a significant vote of confidence for head coach Jeff Duncan's squad entering the 2026 season.
The Golden Flashes, who shared the 2025 MAC regular season title with Miami after posting identical 23-7 conference records, return a veteran core from a team that finished fourth in the nation in scoring at 9.5 runs per game while earning a 38-18 overall record.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP RETURNS
Kent State brings back considerable firepower from an offense that ranked sixth nationally in on-base percentage (.430) and 20th in stolen bases (129). Leading the charge is MAC Freshman of the Year Sawyer Solitaria, who recently earned a spot on the Golden Spikes Award watch list after posting an .880 OPS with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases in his debut season.
All-MAC Second Team shortstop Luke Matthews returns to anchor the top of the lineup after hitting .354/.438/.476 with 18 stolen bases in 2025. Catcher Brody Williams, a team leader and prospective cleanup hitter, posted an impressive .341/.457/.530 slash line with more walks (34) than strikeouts (29).
Additional key returners include first baseman Hunter Lotz, second baseman Ripken Reese (.410 OBP), and sophomore center fielder Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe, who led the team with 25 stolen bases as a freshman.
NEW ADDITIONS BOLSTER ROSTER
The Golden Flashes welcome Western Michigan transfer Grady Mee, who led the MAC in stolen bases (26) last season and brings a .448 OBP to Kent's aggressive base-running attack. Texas transfer Easton Tumis adds depth to a pitching staff that will look to replace five key arms from 2025.
Fifth-year seniors Nick Guidas and Rocco Bernadina are expected to transition from relief roles to weekend starters. Graduate student Caden Leonard returns as a key bullpen arm after recording 35 strikeouts in 28.1 innings last spring.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
Duncan, who was recently rewarded with a contract extension through 2030, has compiled a 386-242 record as Kent State's winningest coach in program history. The Golden Flashes are seeking their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2018.
The preseason rankings predict Miami to finish second, followed by Toledo, Ball State, and Bowling Green, rounding out the top five in the 12-team conference.
The Golden Flashes open their 2026 season on February 13 at Southeastern Louisiana.
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