Kent State University
University of Michigan
Golden Flashes Set to Host Michigan in Home Finale
5/11/2026 4:46:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State baseball closes out its home schedule Tuesday, welcoming Big Ten program Michigan to Schoonover Stadium for a non-conference midweek matchup. First pitch is set for Tuesday, May 12, at 4:02 p.m.
The game brings together two of the Midwest's better programs this season. Kent State enters at 37-12 overall and 22-8 in MAC play, the best winning percentage in the conference at .755, ranking eighth nationally, while Michigan arrives at 32-18 overall and 17-10 in Big Ten play.
The two programs bring contrasting identities to Tuesday's matchup. Kent State's strength has been pitching and run prevention. The Golden Flashes lead the MAC in ERA (4.54), WHIP (1.33), and hits allowed per nine innings (8.17, first nationally), while Michigan counters with one of the nation's best hitters. The Wolverines are hitting .277 as a team, and they lead the entire Big Ten in sacrifice bunts.
No Wolverine has been more dangerous this season than Colby Turner. Turner is batting .383 with 14 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .677 slugging percentage, second in the Big Ten in batting average and among the conference leaders in virtually every offensive category. Turner ranks eighth in the Big Ten in runs scored (53), second in doubles (17), and 18th in hits nationally. Brayden Jefferis (.351, .442 OBP) provides an equally dangerous presence at the top of the order, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in hits per game and adding three triples.
Kent State's offense gives head coach Jeff Duncan several ways to put pressure on Michigan's pitching staff. The Golden Flashes are hitting .292 as a team with 59 home runs and 260 walks, scoring 8.2 runs per game, second in the MAC and 28th nationally. Brody Williams (.335, 8 HR, 48 RBI) leads the club in RBI and has been one of the MAC's most consistent producers all season. Sawyer Solitaria (.299, 15 HR) leads the MAC outright in home runs, ranking first in the conference and 73rd nationally. Ripken Reese (.297, 9 HR, 41 RBI) gives the middle of the order another power threat, and Brady Marshall (.292, .444 OBP, 40 runs) remains one of the MAC's most dangerous table-setters, ranking fourth in the conference in toughest to strike out. Alejandro Covas (.340, 18 SB) has been one of the hottest hitters on the roster over the past several weeks, leading the team in average, and Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (.288, 35 RBI, .420 OBP) provides steady production in the order.
The projected pitching matchup features two arms that have found their footing at different points in the season. Gavin Jones comes in at 1-2 with an 8.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts in five starts and 15 appearances on the year. David Lally Jr. counters for Michigan at 2-3 with a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 innings and eight starts, having punched out 46 batters with a 1.27 WHIP. Lally has been one of Michigan's more reliable starters and also owns a complete game and a save.
Tuesday night at Schoonover Stadium will be Kent State's last home game of the 2026 regular season. The Golden Flashes have given their home crowd plenty to celebrate this year, and with a Big Ten opponent in town and the postseason approaching, the stage is set for a fitting sendoff.
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