Kent State University
Ball State University
Golden Flashes Host Ball State in Crucial Weekend MAC Series
4/16/2026 2:17:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State baseball returns home to Schoonover Stadium this weekend for a three-game Mid-American Conference (MAC) series against Ball State, beginning Friday, April 17, and running through Sunday, April 19. The Golden Flashes enter the weekend at 26-9 overall and 13-5 in MAC play, the best winning percentage in the conference and 14th-best in the nation at .743. Ball State is even at 18-18 overall and 12-6 in the MAC, sitting second in the conference standings.
Two of the MAC's Best Offenses on a Collision Course
This is a matchup of offensive heavyweights. Kent State ranks second in the MAC in runs (293), scoring (8.4 per game), stolen bases (83), stolen bases per game (2.37), and on-base percentage (.417). They also ranked third in home runs (42). Ball State is right there with them, ranking third in the MAC in hits (354) and home runs (42). They also rank fourth in batting average (.288).
The key distinction between these two programs is pitching. Kent State continues to lead the MAC in ERA (5.10), WHIP (1.37), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.33), with its ERA ranking first in the conference and 90th nationally, and its hits allowed per nine innings (8.56) ranking first in the MAC and 64th in the country. Ball State's staff, meanwhile, carries a 7.12 team ERA that ranks 240th nationally and eighth in the MAC, has allowed opponents to hit .296, and has issued 174 walks in 298.1 innings.
Kent State's Offense Has Been Producing at Its Highest Level
The Flashes are hitting .288 as a team, which is third in the MAC and 82nd nationally, and have continued to find ways to score runs from every part of the lineup. With 200 walks drawn and 71 hit-by-pitches, Kent State has one of the highest on-base percentages in the conference at .417, second in the MAC and 31st nationally. Ball State's pitching staff has issued 174 free passes in 298.1 innings, and the Flashes' patient approach at the plate figures to generate plenty of traffic all weekend.
Sawyer Solitaria is having one of the more complete offensive seasons in the MAC. Through 35 games, he is batting .324 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .604 slugging percentage, leading the team in nearly every major offensive category. His 28 walks and six hit-by-pitches have pushed his on-base percentage to .454, and he's gone 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts. His 84 total bases rank among the best in the conference, and his home run total ranks fourth in the MAC and 107th nationally.
Ripken Reese continues to emerge as one of the MAC's most dangerous threats, batting .316 with eight home runs, 30 RBIs, and a .588 slugging percentage. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.321, 30 RBIs, .462 OBP) has been one of the most consistent producers on the roster this season with a .554 slugging percentage. Brady Marshall (.298, .483 OBP) has been a nightmare in the lineup with 31 runs scored, 21 walks, 11 hit-by-pitches, and 11 stolen bases in 25 starts, with his 1.15 runs per game ranking sixth in the MAC. His 0.41 hit-by-pitches per game also ranks sixth in the country.
Nolan Belcher (.329, four HR, 20 RBIs, .451 OBP) has been one of the lineup's most productive contributors in a versatile role, and Brody Williams (.292, 31 RBIs) has driven in runs consistently from behind the plate all season. Alejandro Covas (.304) has been on a tear recently with 26 runs scored, and Luke Matthews (.248) continues to find ways to contribute with 30 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 16 walks, and nine hit-by-pitches across 33 starts.
Ball State Has One of the MAC's Most Dangerous Lineups
The Cardinals bring legitimate offensive firepower to Schoonover Stadium, and Kent State's staff will need to be at its best to contain them. Brayden Huebner has been one of the most productive hitters in the MAC all season, batting .376 with 12 doubles, nine home runs, and 29 RBIs. His .752 slugging percentage leads the MAC and ranks 26th nationally, and his 1.19 runs per game is fifth in the conference. He's gone 10-for-12 on stolen base attempts.
Jacob Gillis (.353, eight HR, 37 RBIs) is one of the MAC's most prolific run producers in this lineup, ranking third in the conference in RBI and posting a .574 slugging percentage from behind the plate. Ryan Muizelaar (.352, seven HR, 36 RBIs) gives Ball State another .580-level slugger in the heart of the order, and his 9.6 at-bats per strikeout ranks second in the MAC.
Gavin Balius (.320) is one of the most dynamic table-setters in the conference, leading the MAC in stolen bases with 28. He's reached base at a .417 clip and has the speed to turn any single into a scoring threat. Brett Griffiths (.310, five triples) leads the MAC in triples and adds 12 doubles, three home runs, and 29 RBIs to a lineup that truly has no easy outs. Kenskey Thomas (.287, four HR, 20 RBIs) and Brady Davidson (.379 in 15 starts) provide additional depth that makes Ball State's lineup difficult to navigate from one through nine.
The Pitching Matchups
Friday — Caughey vs. Garza
Kent State sends its ace to the hill to open the most significant home series of the season. Ciaran Caughey is 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA through nine starts and 44.0 innings, with 49 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP that ranks sixth in the MAC. His 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio is fifth in the conference, and his 10.02 strikeouts per nine innings ranks sixth in the MAC and 143rd nationally. He has now issued just 12 walks all season and has been one of the most reliable arms in college baseball in terms of limiting free passes. A strong outing from Caughey on Friday could set the tone for the entire series.
Ball State counters with Brendan Garza, the most accomplished arm in their rotation. Garza is 3-3 with a 4.93 ERA across nine starts and 49.1 innings, and he's thrown two complete games this season. He has struck out 49 batters and has been one of Ball State's most durable starters, but he's also allowed 50 hits.
Saturday — Tumis vs. Chambers
Easton Tumis enters Saturday's start at 5-2 with a 5.64 ERA through nine starts and 44.2 innings. His 4.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks second in the conference, and his 1.61 walks allowed per nine innings ranks second in the MAC and 34th nationally. Tumis has posted a 1.14 WHIP and has given the Flashes innings with consistency all season.
John Chambers has been one of Ball State's most productive starters, going 4-3 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 appearances and three starts across 42.0 innings. His 10.07 strikeouts per nine innings rank fourth in the MAC.
Sunday — Rabatin vs. TBA
Ben Rabatin has been one of the most consistent starters on Kent State's staff throughout the season, but he enters Sunday's start having absorbed his first loss of the year following a difficult outing at Northern Illinois. He is 4-1 with a 4.81 ERA in nine starts and 43.0 innings, with 47 strikeouts and a dependable track record in conference play.
Ball State's projected Sunday starter has not yet been announced. The Cardinals have a mix of available arms, with Zach Kwasny (2-1, 5.90 ERA) and Keegan Johnson (0-1, 8.46 ERA) among the candidates who could draw the assignment.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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