Kent State University
Central Michigan University
Kent State Hosts Central Michigan for MAC Weekend Series
3/12/2026 2:24:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – The Golden Flashes return home this weekend for a pivotal MAC series against Central Michigan, with first pitch Friday set for 3 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium. Kent State comes in at 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the MAC, leading the conference in ERA, WHIP, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and walks allowed per nine innings. Central Michigan checks in at 7-7 overall and 1-2 in MAC play after a competitive but inconsistent start to the season. The Chippewas bring one of the more dangerous lineups in the conference, but also one of the shakier pitching staffs, setting up what should be a high-scoring, hard-fought series.
Kent State Remains Among the MAC's Best
The Flashes have been one of the most complete teams in the MAC through 16 games. The pitching staff continues to be the foundation, leading the conference in ERA (4.09), WHIP (1.20), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.40), and walks allowed per nine innings (2.64), all marks that also rank among the best in the country. Nationally, Kent State's WHIP ranks 29th, and its walks allowed per nine innings ranks 6th. The offense has been equally productive, scoring 127 runs through 16 games, ranking 2nd in the MAC and 71st nationally, at 7.9 runs per game.
This is a team that wins in multiple ways, with the long ball (19 home runs, 2nd in MAC), patient at-bats (77 walks, 5th in MAC), and a pitching staff that consistently limits damage. A home series against a Central Michigan team that has struggled to throw strikes is set up nicely for the Flashes.
Solitaria Leads a Deep Lineup
Sawyer Solitaria has been the story of the Kent State season, batting .375 with 7 home runs, 15 RBI, and 20 runs scored through 16 games, leading the MAC in home runs, total bases (49), and runs scored (20). He ranks 27th nationally in home runs and 37th in total bases.Â
The players around him have continued to grow into their roles. Alejandro Covas is hitting .333 with two home runs and eight RBI, giving the Flashes another legitimate threat in the lineup. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.315) leads the team with 17 RBI and has drawn 11 walks, consistently getting on base ahead of the power hitters. Kolton Schaller (.277, 3 HR, 15 RBI) has solidified himself as a key middle-of-the-order presence, and Brody Williams (.238, 2 HR, 12 RBI) provides another power option. Luke Matthews continues to manufacture runs the hard way, batting just .222 but reaching base at a .351 clip, scoring 15 runs, and doing all the intangible things that make lineups go.
Central Michigan's pitching staff has walked 82 batters in 116.1 innings, a 6.34 walks per nine innings rate, and has allowed opponents to hit .304.Â
Central Michigan Has Dangerous Offensive Weapons
The Chippewas will not be taken lightly offensively. Central Michigan is hitting .286 as a team with 19 home runs and 116 runs scored, and they have some fearsome individual hitters. Cole Prout leads the MAC in walks (18) and has a .536 on-base percentage, with four home runs and 19 RBI. He also leads the conference in bases on balls per game. Brady Krzciok is one of the conference's most productive run producers, batting .276 with four home runs and 18 RBI. Harrison Bowman (.317, 5 HR, 12 RBI) is another legitimate power threat, while Joey Milto (.362, 3 HR, 9 RBI) has been one of the hottest bats in the conference. Bryson Webb leads the team in average at .440 in limited at-bats, and Greg Guzik II (.412) has also been impressive off the bench.
The Chippewas have also been one of the most aggressive baserunning teams in the MAC, attempting 42 steals in 14 games and succeeding at a solid clip. Kent State's catchers and pitchers will need to be sharp in holding runners.
The Pitching Matchups
Friday — Caughey vs. Neiswonger
This is the matchup of the weekend. Kent State sends its ace, Ciaran Caughey, who has been one of the best pitchers in the country this season. The right-hander carries a 0.92 ERA across 19.2 innings with 26 strikeouts, leading the MAC in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings (11.90), a mark that ranks 101st nationally. He's been the most dominant starter in the conference, and his command has been sharp all year, posting a 5.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio that ranks fourth in the MAC.
He'll face Luke Neiswonger, who has been Central Michigan's most used and most effective starter. Neiswonger is 2-0 with a 5.66 ERA across 20.2 innings with 27 strikeouts, the most of any pitcher in the Central Michigan rotation.Â
Saturday — Tumis vs. Potts
Easton Tumis has evolved into one of the most reliable starters in the MAC, going 2-1 with a 4.29 ERA across 21 innings. He leads the MAC and ranks 56th nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.00), and his 0.86 walks allowed per nine innings is first in the MAC and 23rd nationally.Â
Central Michigan counters with Tyson Potts, who is 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA across 8.2 innings in four appearances, including one start. He has 13 strikeouts, but has also allowed five runs.
Sunday — Rabatin vs. Bailey
Ben Rabatin has settled in nicely, going 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA across 18 innings in four starts. He's struck out 20 batters and has an .243 opponent batting average.
Hayden Bailey has been Central Michigan's most-used starter but has struggled significantly, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA across 13 innings in five starts, having allowed 19 hits, 13 earned runs, and five home runs.
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