Kent State University
Miami University (OH)
Kent State Hosts Miami (OH) in Marquee MAC Weekend Series
3/26/2026 11:38:00 AM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – The biggest MAC series of the young season arrives at Schoonover Stadium this weekend as Kent State welcomes Miami (OH) for a three-game set with significant conference standings implications. The Flashes come in at 18-5 overall and 8-1 in MAC play, the best record in the conference and 20th-best winning percentage in the nation at .783, while the RedHawks check in at 15-8 and 5-4 in the MAC. Both programs are legitimate MAC title contenders, and this weekend could go a long way toward determining who controls their own destiny heading into the final stretch of the regular season.Â
The MAC's Best Against Its Most Dangerous Offense
This is a matchup of contrasting strengths. Kent State has built its success on elite pitching and a balanced, disciplined offensive approach. Miami (OH) has built its success on sheer offensive firepower, the RedHawks lead the MAC in runs scored (204), home runs (35), on-base percentage (.441), slugging percentage (.501), and scoring (8.9 runs per game). Nationally, Miami (OH) ranks 35th in runs, 40th in home runs, 32nd in stolen bases, and 14th in on-base percentage. They are the most complete and dangerous offensive team in the MAC, and this weekend represents one of the most significant tests Kent State's pitching staff has faced all season.
At the same time, Kent State's pitching staff is no ordinary unit. The Flashes lead the MAC and rank among the nation's best in ERA (4.59, 57th nationally), WHIP (1.23, 23rd nationally), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.97, 16th nationally), and walks allowed per nine innings (3.06, 7th nationally). Something has to give, and the outcome of that collision will likely determine who takes the series.
Kent State's Offense Has Been Equally Productive
The Flashes have been one of the MAC's most productive offenses in their own right, scoring 183 runs through 23 games, which is 2nd in the MAC and 75th nationally, while hitting .269 as a team with 30 home runs and 120 walks. The production has come from all corners of the lineup, making Kent State genuinely difficult to neutralize with any single defensive strategy.
Sawyer Solitaria (.337) continues to be the team's most consistent hitter, leading the team with 31 hits and eight home runs. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.333) has been another major threat, leading the club with 20 RBI and posting a .482 on-base percentage. His ability to barrel the baseball and work counts has been a constant all season. Nolan Belcher (.326) has been great behind the plate, providing a .439 on-base percentage in an expanded role. Brady Marshall (.326) has become one of the most dynamic offensive contributors on the roster, scoring 18 runs and stealing seven bags in just 16 games. Kolton Schaller (.281, 5 HR, 20 RBI) has had a genuine breakout season as a power-hitting middle-of-the-order presence, while Ripken Reese (.250, 5 HR, 17 RBI) has continued to develop into one of the more feared bats in the lineup.
Brody Williams (.230, 3 HR, 20 RBI) continues to drive in runs despite a modest average, and Max Humphrey (.279, 1 HR, 10 RBI) has provided valuable production off the bench. Luke Matthews (.200) remains one of the MAC's best table-setters despite a challenging average with his nine walks, seven hit-by-pitches, and 17 runs scored reflect a player who finds ways to contribute regardless of what the box score says. Alejandro Covas (.288, 2 HR, 11 RBI) and Hunter Klotz(.228, 13 RBI) round out a lineup that has genuinely no easy outs from one through nine.
Miami's pitching staff has a 6.04 team ERA and has allowed opponents to hit .274, suggesting the Flashes should be able to generate their typical offensive output.Â
Miami (OH) Has a Lineup Loaded With Threats
If Kent State's pitching staff has a weakness to be exposed, Miami (OH) is the team most capable of finding it. The RedHawks are as deep and dangerous offensively as any team the Flashes will face all season, with legitimate threats from top to bottom.
Tommy Harrison has been one of the MAC's most productive hitters, batting .439 with 7 home runs and 34 RBI, leading the conference in RBI and total bases (66), ranking 2nd in batting average and hits (36), and sitting 13th nationally in RBI per game at 1.55. Marcus Dierks is one of the most dynamic players in the conference, batting .400 with 21 stolen bases, which is the most in the MAC, and a .542 on-base percentage. He's been on base at an extraordinary rate and is a genuine baserunning weapon.
Evan Appelwick has been a deep threat hitter, batting .272 with 10 home runs and 28 walks, posting a .469 on-base percentage and leading the MAC in home runs. Diego Cruz (.371, 3 HR, 12 stolen bases) gives Miami (OH) another multi-tool threat, while Carson Raether (.273, 3 HR, 20 RBI) has been a reliable run producer behind the plate. Ignacio Gonzalez (.256, 3 HR, 18 RBI) and Ryan Novak (.226, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 4 sacrifice flies) fill out a middle of the order that can put up big numbers in a hurry.
The RedHawks have also been one of the most aggressive baserunning teams in the country, attempting 67 steals in 23 games.Â
The Pitching Matchups
Friday — Caughey vs. Sohosky
Kent State sends its ace to the hill for the most important MAC game of the season. Ciaran Caughey has been one of the premier pitchers in college baseball in 2026, carrying a 2.35 ERA across 30.2 innings with 39 strikeouts, which is second in the MAC in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (11.45, 88th nationally). His 0.88 WHIP leads the conference and ranks 34th nationally, and his 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks first in the MAC.Â
Miami (OH) counters with left-hander Zac Sohosky, who is 2-0 with a 4.39 ERA across 26.2 innings in six starts. He's struck out 27 batters and shown the ability to work deep into games, but he's also allowed 29 hits and 21 runs, and opposing teams are hitting .269 against him.Â
Saturday — Tumis vs. Burke
Saturday's matchup is genuinely the most compelling of the series. Easton Tumis has been one of the MAC's most dependable starters all season, going 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA across 34 innings. He leads the MAC and ranks 23rd nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (1.06), and his 5.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks third in the conference. His 1.00 WHIP ranks third in the MAC, and he has shown the ability to go deep into games with efficiency.
He'll face Clayton Burke, who is arguably Miami's best starting pitcher. Burke is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA across 29.1 innings in six starts, with 32 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP that ranks second in the MAC just behind Caughey. His 6.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks second in the conference, and his 1.53 walks allowed per nine innings is among the best marks in the MAC.Â
Sunday — Rabatin vs. TBA
Ben Rabatin has quietly put together one of the more underrated seasons on the Kent State staff, going 3-0 with a 4.03 ERA across 29 innings and striking out 34 batters. He's been particularly effective at limiting damage and has earned the trust of the coaching staff as the Sunday starter.Â
Miami's pitcher for the series finale has not yet been announced, and the RedHawks have a mix of arms, including Carson Byers (2-1, 9.47 ERA) and Cameron Novak (0-2, 5.06 ERA), who could draw the assignment.Â
The Bottom Line
This is the game everyone in the MAC has been circling. Two of the conference's best programs are meeting at a critical juncture of the season, with real standings implications on the line. Miami (OH) brings the MAC's most dangerous offense to Schoonover Stadium, and Kent State answers with the MAC's best pitching staff. The Flashes have home-field advantage and the rotation edge with Caughey and Tumis anchoring the first two games.
First pitch Friday is set for 3 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium.
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