Flashes Fly The Flag in First-Ever Win Versus Michigan

Tuesday, May 12

Kent, Ohio

4 PM ET

Kent State University

38-12

University of Michigan

32-19

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

The Kent State baseball team gathers on the field at home for a group photo, holding a large black Mid-American Conference flag with crossed bone, wearing light blue 'Flashes' Under Armour uniforms, with the Kent State baseball facility and championship banner visible on the outfield wall behind them.

Flashes Fly The Flag in First-Ever Win Versus Michigan

5/12/2026 7:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Game Replay

KENT, Ohio – Kent State made history Tuesday afternoon, defeating Michigan for the first time in program history, 5-3, at Schoonover Stadium behind a power display that saw every Golden Flash run score via the home run ball. The Golden Flashes improved to 38-12 on the season.

Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe got things started with a two-run blast to left field in the second inning, and Hunter Klotz added a solo shot to right in the fourth to reclaim the lead after Michigan tied it at two. Sawyer Solitaria then put the game away with a two-run homer to left center in the sixth, his fourth home run in four games, to make it 5-2. All five Kent State runs came off the long ball, a fitting exclamation point on a historic afternoon.

Gavin Jones started and tossed three scoreless innings before a wild Parker Lind appearance led to two Michigan runs in the fourth. Jordan Kolenda bailed out of that jam and earned the win, improving to 3-0, with five relievers combining to hold the Wolverines to one run over the final five innings. Peyton Williams struck out two in a clean ninth to earn his fifth save. Solitaria finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Rienstra-Kiracofe went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Klotz added a home run and an RBI. The win also gives the Flashes their fifth win versus a Power-4 program.

Highlights

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Flashes takes a 2-0 lead off the home run.#GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown pic.twitter.com/8hSneVuQhr
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 12, 2026

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— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 12, 2026

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— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 12, 2026

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Peyton Williams with the strikeout to get the win vs. Michigan.#GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown pic.twitter.com/7qhIOAwDaJ
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 12, 2026

UP NEXT: Kent State closes out the regular season with a three-game series at Toledo, Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, before the MAC Tournament.

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