Kent State University
11-4, 2-1
Bowling Green
3-10, 1-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Kent St. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | X | 13 | 12 | 0 |
Kent State Erupts for 13 Runs, Claims Series Win Over Bowling Green
3/8/2026 3:33:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio — The Kent State Golden Flashes bounced back emphatically on Sunday, rolling to a 13-1 run-rule victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in seven innings at Schoonover Stadium to claim the MAC series. With the win, the Flashes improved to 11-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Kent State wasted no time getting on the board, as Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to left field to put the Flashes ahead early. Bowling Green answered with a Vinny Salvione solo shot in the fourth to knot the game at one, but that would be the last time the Falcons threatened.
The fifth inning was when the game was won decisively. The Flashes sent 13 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs in what became the most explosive inning of the season. The rally was sparked by a walk and a hit batter to load the bases, and Bowling Green's pitching staff couldn't stop the bleeding. Kolton Schaller delivered an RBI single, Ripken Reese followed with a two-run single through the left side, and then Alejandro Covas put the game out of reach with a three-run home run to left field. The Flashes kept right on rolling as Nolan Belcher added an RBI single, Luke Matthews doubled home another run, and Rienstra-Kiracofe capped the inning with a two-RBI single to push the lead to 12-1. Kent State tacked on one more in the sixth on a Brady Marshall RBI single, with Covas scoring on a Bowling Green error, to set the final margin at 13-1.
Rienstra-Kiracofe was one of the offensive stars of the afternoon, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Covas was equally impressive, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI, while also swiping two bases. Matthews chipped in a double and an RBI, and Reese went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Nine different Flashes recorded at least one RBI on the day.
On the mound, Ben Rabatin was outstanding in earning his second win of the season. The right-hander held Bowling Green to just one hit and one run over five innings, striking out ten batters and retiring the Falcons in order in three of his five frames. Nick Guidas and Caden Leonard each threw a clean inning of relief to close things out.
Up Next
The Flashes will hit the road for the first time in a while, traveling to take on Ohio State on Tuesday, March 10.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rabatin, Ben (2-0)
L: Titus Lotz (0-2)
Batting:
HR: Vinny Salvione 1
RBI: Vinny Salvione 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vinny Salvione 1
Batting:
2B: Matthews, Luke 1
HR: Rienstra-Kiracofe, Micah 1 ; Covas, Alejandro 1
RBI: Rienstra-Kiracofe, Micah 4 ; Schaller, Kolton 1 ; Reese, Ripken 2 ; Covas, Alejandro 3 ; Marshall, Brady 1 ; Belcher, Nolan 1 ; Matthews, Luke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Rienstra-Kiracofe, Micah 2 ; Schaller, Kolton 1 ; Reese, Ripken 1 ; Covas, Alejandro 2 ; Marshall, Brady 1 ; Klotz, Hunter 2 ; Belcher, Nolan 2 ; Matthews, Luke 2
SB: Covas, Alejandro 1 ; Marshall, Brady 1
HBP: Marshall, Brady 1 ; Belcher, Nolan 1
