Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe Named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, 10 Total Honors for Golden Flashes
5/20/2026 9:59:00 AM | Baseball
Golden Flashes tie program record with eight first and second team honorees; Rienstra-Kiracofe named Co-Defensive Player of the Year
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Mid-American Conference announced its 2026 baseball postseason awards on Wednesday, and the Kent State Golden Flashes led the league with eight first and second team selections, which is tied for the most All-MAC first and second team honorees in program history.
Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Western Michigan's Michael Maloney, while catcher Brody Williams earned First Team All-MAC recognition. Seven additional Golden Flashes claimed second team honors.
Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe | Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Second Team All-MAC, All-MAC Defensive Team | Outfield
Rienstra-Kiracofe was one of the most well-rounded players in the MAC, earning both offensive and defensive recognition to cap a remarkable season. At the plate, he hit .309 with 55 hits, 10 doubles, six home runs, and 40 RBI while drawing 34 walks for a .430 on-base percentage, one of the highest marks on the roster. His 14 stolen bases in 20 attempts added another dynamic element to the Kent State offense. Defensively, Rienstra-Kiracofe was nearly flawless, committing just one error in 115 chances (.991) and earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors alongside Western Michigan's Michael Maloney.Â
Brody Williams | First Team All-MAC | Catcher
Williams was one of the MAC's most complete players behind the plate, batting .320 with 63 hits, 15 doubles, nine home runs, and 50 RBIs across 51 starts. The senior posted a .417 on-base percentage and a .533 slugging percentage, providing middle-of-the-order production that complemented his elite defensive work. Williams threw out 19 of 47 baserunners attempting to steal while posting a .988 fielding percentage, anchoring a pitching staff that ranked among the MAC's best. Williams also earned MAC Player of the Week once.
Ripken Reese | Second Team All-MAC | Third Base
Reese was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the MAC, batting .290 with 15 doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs across all 52 starts. Reese posted a .527 slugging percentage, .388 on-base percentage, drove in 42 runs, and added 11 stolen bases, giving the Kent State lineup a multi-dimensional threat at third base. He also chipped in 44 runs scored as part of one of the most productive offenses in the MAC.
Luke Matthews | Second Team All-MAC | Shortstop
Matthews was a consistent two-way contributor at shortstop all season, batting .291 with 13 doubles and 33 RBI while reaching base at a .388 clip across 49 starts. His 18 stolen bases ranked among the team leaders, and his instincts on the basepaths created havoc throughout the order. Defensively, Matthews recorded 136 assists at shortstop and turned 26 double plays as the engine of a Kent State infield that turned 40 double plays on the season.Â
Sawyer Solitaria | Second Team All-MAC | Outfield
Solitaria was the offensive centerpiece of the Kent State lineup from wire to wire, leading the team with 64 hits, 16 home runs, and 124 total bases while posting a .582 slugging percentage, among the highest marks in the MAC. The sophomore hit .300 in all 53 starts with 12 doubles, 45 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. His consistency was recognized twice during the season with MAC Player of the Week honors, making him the only Golden Flash to earn the distinction more than once in 2026.Â
Ciaran Caughey | Second Team All-MAC | Starting Pitcher
Caughey was the anchor of the Kent State rotation, going 7-2 with a 3.60 ERA across 14 starts and 70.0 innings pitched. He struck out 71 batters against just 19 walks, a strikeout-to-walk ratio that ranked among the MAC's best, while holding opposing hitters to a .222 average.Â
Evan Holewinski | Second Team All-MAC | Relief Pitcher
Holewinski was one of the MAC's premier closers, posting a 2.14 ERA across 46.1 innings with four saves while emerging as one of the most trusted arms in the Kent State bullpen. The right-hander was nearly unhittable at his best, allowing just 34 hits while striking out 50 batters and walking only nine, holding opponents to a .200 average over the course of the season. His .846 caught-stealing rate made him equally difficult to run on. Holewinski earned MAC Pitcher of the Week recognition once during the season.Â
Peyton Williams | Second Team All-MAC | Relief Pitcher
Williams was one of the most electric relievers in the MAC, posting six saves and a 2.37 ERA in 19 appearances and 19.0 innings. His 34 strikeouts in just 19 frames, an average of 16.1 per nine innings, were a testament to pure power stuff that made him nearly impossible to barrel. Williams held opposing hitters to a .191 average, the lowest mark among all Kent State pitchers with significant innings, and his ability to slam the door in the late innings formed one of the most feared bullpen tandems in the conference alongside Holewinski.Â
Kent State also placed Rienstra-Kiracofe on the All-MAC Defensive Team as an outfielder, bringing the program's total postseason honorees to ten.
The Golden Flashes enter the MAC Tournament as the two-seed and will play the highest-ranked team from the first round on Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. Eastern.
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