Kent State University
Ohio University
Golden Flashes Hit the Road for MAC Series at Ohio
4/1/2026 7:31:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State baseball heads to Athens for a three-game Mid-American Conference series at Ohio, beginning Thursday, April 2, and running through Saturday, April 4. The Golden Flashes arrive at 20-7 overall and 9-3 in MAC play, with the best winning percentage in the conference and the 25th-best in the nation at .741. The Bobcats check in at 6-22 overall and 3-9 in the MAC, sitting in second to last in the conference standings. With Kent State looking to rebound from last weekend's home series loss to Miami (OH) and build separation in the MAC standings heading into April, this weekend's series represents a prime opportunity to do exactly that.
A Dominant Rotation Against a Struggling Staff
This series sets up as one of the more lopsided pitching matchups Kent State will face all season, and in the Flashes' favor. Kent State's staff leads the MAC in ERA (5.12), WHIP (1.35), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.54), and walks allowed per nine innings (3.51), while Ohio's pitching has been among the most beleaguered in the country. The Bobcats carry a 10.17 team ERA that ranks 297th nationally and 12th in the MAC, and opponents are hitting .339 against Ohio's staff with a .552 slugging percentage. The Bobcats' three projected starters have combined to go 1-9 on the season.
At the same time, Ohio's offense presents some genuine threats that Kent State's staff cannot take lightly. The Bobcats rank third in the MAC in doubles (59) and doubles per game (2.11), have accumulated 53 stolen bases, and carry a handful of dangerous individual bats who are capable of producing crooked numbers in a hurry.
Kent State's Offense Looking to Reestablish Its Rhythm
The Flashes enter the weekend having scored 212 runs through 27 games, which ranks second in the MAC and 74th nationally, while hitting .274 as a team with 34 home runs and 143 walks. The production has been distributed throughout the lineup all season, and Kent State will be looking to get back on track offensively after a difficult series against Miami (OH) last weekend.
Sawyer Solitaria (.333) continues to anchor the lineup, leading the team with eight home runs, 66 total bases, and a .611 slugging percentage. His 66 total bases rank fourth in the MAC, and his .463 on-base percentage reflects a hitter who combines power with patience. He's drawn 21 walks and has been hit by five pitches while going a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.313, 21 RBI, .457 OBP) has been equally productive, drawing 18 walks and tying for the team lead with eight steals. Kolton Schaller (.275, 5 HR, 21 RBI) has been a genuine middle-of-the-order force with a .507 slugging percentage, while Ripken Reese (.270, 6 HR, 20 RBI) has continued to emerge as one of the more feared bats in the MAC.
Brody Williams (.265, 24 RBI, 4 HR) is one of the MAC's most productive catchers, and Brady Marshall (.302, .480 OBP) has been a dynamic presence, scoring 22 runs and stealing seven bags in just 17 starts while drawing 13 walks and being hit by seven pitches. Luke Matthews (.206) with 11 walks, eight hit-by-pitches, and seven stolen bases reflects a player who finds ways to reach base and create problems regardless of what the stat line shows. Nolan Belcher (.308, 10 RBI, 3 HR) has been sharp in an expanded role, while Hunter Klotz (.243, 14 RBI) and Alejandro Covas (.292, 15 RBI, 3 HR) round out a lineup without easy outs from top to bottom.
Ohio's staff has posted an ERA north of 10.00 and allowed opponents to hit .339, suggesting the Flashes should be well-positioned to generate their typical offensive output.
Ohio Has Some Bats Worth Watching
If Kent State's pitching staff is going to be tested anywhere this weekend, it will be by a handful of Bobcat hitters who have swung the bat well despite the team's struggles in the standings. Dylan Shepherd leads Ohio at .325 with six doubles and 14 RBI, and he's drawn 11 walks while being hit seven times to post a .449 on-base percentage. Cameron Boyd (.281, 6 HR, 22 RBI) is Ohio's most dangerous power threat and has shown the ability to do serious damage against any level of pitching. Cam Hill (.307, 3 HR, 16 RBI) gives the Bobcats another productive middle-of-the-order bat, while Reese Harmon (.278, 21 BB, .458 OBP) has been on base at one of the better rates in the MAC.
The Bobcats have also been an active baserunning team, attempting 68 steals through 28 games, which is fourth in the MAC. Tyler Stack (12 stolen bases) has been Ohio's most consistent threat on the bases. Kent State's staff will need to be mindful of Ohio's ability to manufacture runs when the big hit isn't available.
The Pitching Matchups
Thursday — Caughey vs. Bryant
Kent State sends its ace to the hill to open the series. Ciaran Caughey has been one of the premier pitchers in the MAC in 2026, carrying a 3-0 record and a 2.78 ERA across seven starts and 35.2 innings. His 41 strikeouts rank third in the MAC, his 1.01 WHIP ranks second in the conference and 59th nationally, and his 5.13 strikeout-to-walk ratio is second in the league.Â
Ohio counters with right-hander Luke Bryant, who is 0-4 with an 11.12 ERA across seven starts and 22.2 innings. He has allowed 35 hits and five home runs and issued 14 walks. He's been the Bobcats' most-used starter but has had a difficult time limiting damage throughout the season.
Friday — Tumis vs. Winston
Friday's matchup is the most intriguing pitching duel of the series. Easton Tumis has continued to develop into one of the MAC's most efficient arms, going 4-2 with a 5.35 ERA across seven starts and 35.1 innings. He leads the MAC and ranks 28th nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (1.27), and his 4.60 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks fifth in the conference. His 1.16 WHIP is seventh in the MAC, and his four wins are tied for fourth most nationally among all starters.Â
Ohio counters with left-hander Hunter Winston, who is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA across three starts and six appearances this season. His 5.14 ERA is the best amongst Ohio's projected starters. It represents the Bobcats' best opportunity to slow down a Kent State lineup that can do significant damage when a starter loses command.
Saturday — Rabatin vs. Dallmayer
Ben Rabatin has been one of the most consistent contributors to Kent State's rotation all season, going 3-0 with a 4.24 ERA across seven starts and 34.0 innings. He has struck out 37 batters while issuing only 13 walks, and his undefeated record reflects a pitcher who has consistently delivered when the Flashes needed a quality outing.
Ohio counters with right-hander AJ Dallmayer, who is 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA across five starts and 20.0 innings. He has issued 19 walks in those 20 innings and has allowed seven doubles and three triples, and he's given up 29 runs on the season.Â
Thursday's series opener first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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