Golden Flashes Drop Series Opener 11-3 Versus Ball State

Friday, April 17

Kent, Ohio

6 PM ET

Kent State University

26-10, 13-6

Ball State University

19-18, 13-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ball St.	0	0	2	0	6	0	3	0	0	11	15	1
Kent St.	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	8	2

Golden Flashes Drop Series Opener 11-3 Versus Ball State

4/17/2026 9:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio — Kent State dropped the opening game of its Mid-American Conference (MAC) series against Ball State 11-3 Friday night at Schoonover Stadium, falling to 26-10 overall and 13-6 in MAC play as the Cardinals erased an early deficit with a six-run fifth inning and never looked back.

Nolan Belcher gave the Flashes an early lift with a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the first. Kent State extended the lead to 3-0 in the second when Sawyer Solitaria and Alejandro Covas reached, and Hunter Klotz drew a walk before Luke Matthews reached on a two-run error to plate two unearned runs.

Ball State chipped away in the third, scoring two unearned runs aided by a Ripken Reese error to pull within 3-2. The Cardinals then broke the game open in the fifth. Charlie Keller delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run to right field, and Ball State kept rolling as Ryan Muizelaar, Brady Davidson, and Brett Griffiths each added RBI hits to cap a six-run inning that put the Cardinals ahead 8-3. Ciaran Caughey, who suffered the loss (4-2), was chased in the fifth after allowing seven runs on six hits over four-plus innings.

Ball State added three more in the seventh against Brody Krzysiak. Muizelaar doubled home a run, and Griffiths reached on a bunt fielder's choice for another RBI before a Jack Bakus bases-loaded walk made it 11-3. Jordan Kolenda settled in after that, holding the Cardinals scoreless over the final 2.2 innings.

Kent State managed eight hits and drew five walks but could not generate any offense after the second inning, going scoreless over the final seven frames against Brendan Garza, who scattered eight hits and five walks while allowing just one earned run over eight innings.

Matthews led Kent State with two RBI on a two-run error in the second inning and added a double later in the game. Belcher finished 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Solitaria and Covas each had one hit, and Reese added a single and a walk. The Flashes stranded nine runners on base and hit into two double plays.

Kent State and Ball State are back at it tomorrow with the first pitch set for 3 p.m. at Schoonover Stadium.

---

Be The Difference, Support the Baseball Excellence Fund

Support the baseball program today by donating to the Baseball Excellence Fund by clicking here.

Follow Kent State Baseball

For complete coverage of Kent State Baseball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram, and Facebook for news and updates.