Kent State University
University of Massachusetts
Kent State Takes on UMass at Neutral Site in Hartford This Weekend
3/19/2026 4:44:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes hit the road this weekend for a neutral-site series against Massachusetts at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Kent State comes in at 15-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play, the best record in the MAC, while UMass checks in at 5-7 and 1-5 in the MAC. Despite the records, the Minutemen have some genuine offensive weapons that make this series worth watching closely.
Kent State Surging as the Nation Takes Notice
The Flashes have been one of the hottest teams in the country over the past two weeks, going 9-1 in their last 10 games. The numbers at the national level remain striking. Kent State leads the MAC and ranks among the nation's best in ERA (4.26, 55th nationally), WHIP (1.19, 22nd nationally), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.39, 12th nationally), and walks allowed per nine innings (2.68, 3rd nationally). The offense has matched the pitching staff stride for stride, with the Flashes scoring 147 runs through 19 games, ranking 2nd in the MAC and 88th nationally at 7.7 runs per game.
Solitaria Continues Historic Season
Through 19 games, Sawyer Solitaria remains the standard-bearer for the entire MAC offense. The outfielder is batting .360 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 23 runs scored. He ranks 59th nationally in home runs and 83rd in total bases.Â
The supporting cast has continued to round into form as the season has progressed. Kolton Schaller has been one of the most improved players in the MAC, batting .304 with five home runs and a team-leading 20 RBI. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.315) has 17 RBI and continues to reach base at a .456 clip. Alejandro Covas (.311, 2 HR, 10 RBI) has provided excellent production in an expanded role, and Nolan Belcher (.303) has been a steady presence. Ripken Reese (.265, 3 HR) and Brody Williams (.233, 2 HR, 16 RBI) give the Flashes additional power throughout a lineup with no easy outs.
Luke Matthews has reached base at a .341 clip thanks to nine walks and six hit-by-pitches, and his 15 runs scored reflect how often he finds a way to get on and score. Grady Mee (.209) has drawn 10 walks and posted a .414 on-base percentage, giving the Flashes two reliable on-base threats at the top of the order.
UMass Has Legitimate Offensive Threats
Despite the 5-7 record, Massachusetts has genuine weapons at the plate and should not be taken lightly. Anthony Tirado is 4th in the MAC in stolen bases and 2nd in hits per game, batting .423 with 11 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Ty Fox has been equally impressive, slashing .382/.542/.765 with two home runs and two triples. Fox carries a .542 on-base percentage (35th nationally) and a .765 slugging percentage (48th nationally), making him one of the most dangerous hitters in the MAC.Â
Gavin O'Brien (.227, 3 HR, 14 RBI) leads the team with 13 walks and has been one of the more productive run producers in the lineup, while Reece McCarthy (.289, 2 HR, 12 RBI) adds another solid bat in the middle of the order. The Minutemen have also been extraordinarily aggressive on the base paths, ranking 25th nationally in stolen bases per game at 2.50.Â
The Pitching Matchups
Friday — Caughey vs. Powers
This is the most lopsided matchup of the series on paper, and it sets the tone for the entire weekend. Ciaran Caughey has been one of the premier pitchers in college baseball, and his numbers through five starts reflect that. The right-hander carries a 1.82 ERA across 24.2 innings with 31 strikeouts, leading the MAC in ERA and second in strikeouts. His 6.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks third in the conference, and his 0.93 WHIP ranks second. Nationally, he ranks 59th in ERA among qualified starters.Â
UMass counters with Callen Powers, who has been the Minutemen's most durable and effective starter. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA across 23.2 innings with 23 strikeouts, and his 2.28 walks per nine innings is the best mark on the UMass staff by a significant margin, ranking 9th in the MAC.Â
Saturday — Tumis vs. Sliwkowski
Easton Tumis has been one of the MAC's most consistent starters, going 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA across 29 innings and establishing himself as the conference's premier command pitcher. He leads the MAC and ranks 21st nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (0.93) and ranks 50th nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.33). His 1.00 WHIP ranks fifth in the MAC.Â
He'll face Drew Sliwkowski, a left-hander who has made two starts and struggled, carrying a 14.54 ERA across just 4.1 innings. He's walked four and allowed a home run, and there's little in the numbers to suggest he presents a significant challenge to the Flashes' offense.Â
Sunday — Rabatin vs. Masteralexis
Ben Rabatin is 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA across 23 innings in five starts, with 27 strikeouts — a strikeouts per nine innings mark of 10.96 that ranks third in the MAC.Â
Justin Masteralexis has been UMass's most-used starter alongside Powers but has had a rough season, going 0-1 with a 9.26 ERA across 11.2 innings in four starts. He's allowed 16 hits, walked 10, and hit two batters.
First pitch Friday is set for 3 p.m. ET at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
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