Kent State University
Baldwin Wallace University
Kent State Baseball Set to Host Baldwin Wallace Tuesday
3/30/2026 7:34:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio — Coming off its first series loss of the season, Kent State baseball will look to bounce back when it welcomes Baldwin Wallace to Schoonover Stadium on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
The Golden Flashes enter the contest at 19-7 overall after dropping two of three to Miami (OH) this past weekend. Despite the series setback, Kent State remains one of the MAC's hottest teams at 9-3 in conference play, and the program continues to post eye-catching numbers on a national level. The Flashes rank first in the MAC in ERA (5.04), WHIP (1.34), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.46), and win percentage (.731), and sit in the top three in the conference in home runs, runs scored, and stolen bases.
Offense has been a consistent strength all season. Sawyer Solitaria leads the charge, hitting .337 with eight home runs and 19 RBI while ranking in the top 100 nationally in home runs and slugging percentage (.615). Ripken Reese has provided a steady presence at .274 with six home runs, while Kolton Schaller (.275, five HR) has been one of the most productive hitters on the roster relative to his at-bats. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe has been equally reliable, hitting .304 with 21 RBI and a .444 on-base percentage among regulars, and Brady Marshall continues to be an on-base machine at .480 OBP with seven stolen bases.
On the mound, Kent State will hand the ball to sophomore Rocco Bernadina, who has made three appearances out of the bullpen this season and has yet to allow an earned run in 4.2 innings of work. The right-hander will make what is expected to be his first start of the year.
The Flashes will face a Baldwin Wallace squad that has been one of the better stories in Division III baseball this season. The Yellow Jackets enter at 16-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play, leading their league in batting average (.336), slugging percentage (.515), scoring (9.4 runs per game), and on-base percentage (.450). Their offense is headlined by Sean Kolenich, one of the most productive hitters in all of Division III. The third baseman is hitting .481 with 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 33 RBI, ranking first in his conference in virtually every offensive category and in the top 25 nationally in runs, RBI, slugging, total bases, and runs per game. Dennis Ritlinger-Nirider (.423) and Colin West (.389) give the Yellow Jackets more potent hitters.
Baldwin Wallace has not announced a starter, though its recent midweek rotation has featured Austin Coy and Brady Richman. Coy has made four appearances, including one start, posting a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings, while Richman, who also serves as one of Baldwin Wallace's primary relievers, carries a 2.25 ERA through 8.0 innings.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium.
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