Survive and Advance: Golden Flashes Eliminate Western Michigan 6-1

Friday, May 22

Avon, Ohio

1 PM

Kent State University

42-14

Western Michigan University

27-25

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Michigan	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	1
Kent State	0	0	2	0	1	0	3	0	X	6	12	1

Kent State Golden Flashes player wearing No. 14 in a navy 'Kent State' Under Armour jersey is mobbed by jubilant teammates in the dugout while wearing a Boba Fett helmet as a home run celebration prop, with the full dugout erupting in celebration around him and the Kent State lightning bolt, Golden Flashes, and Under Armour logos in the corner.

Survive and Advance: Golden Flashes Eliminate Western Michigan 6-1

5/22/2026 4:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

AVON, Ohio – Alejandro Covas delivered a dominant offensive performance, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, a three-run home run, and 3 RBIs to lead Kent State to a commanding 6-1 victory over the 5-seed Western Michigan. The Golden Flashes' offense was relentless from the opening inning, finishing with 12 hits and routing starter Sam Carlisle, who was tagged for 9 hits, 3 earned runs, and 3 strikeouts across 5.0 innings before the Broncos turned to their bullpen. With the win, Kent State advances to face the loser of the Toledo-Northern Illinois game tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

Covas was the undeniable star of the afternoon. His three-run home run down the left-field line off reliever Tanner Doran in the seventh inning blew the game open, turning a 3-1 lead into a 6-1 advantage by plating Luke Matthews and Hunter Klotz. The junior left fielder recorded hits in each of his four at-bats and was as locked in at the plate as any Golden Flash has been all tournament. Luke Matthews added 2 hits and scored 2 runs in support, Sawyer Solitaria went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Brody Williams chipped in a hit and an RBI as Kent State's lineup worked through three Western Michigan pitchers, Carlisle, Erik Shapiro, and Doran.

On the mound, Ben Rabatin earned the win with a quality outing, lasting 5.1 innings and throwing 96 pitches while holding Western Michigan to just 1 run on 4 hits. WMU's only score came in the sixth inning, but Rabatin was rarely threatened beyond that, limiting the Broncos to a .167 team batting average in his stint. The bullpen handled the rest with ease, including a spotless 2.1-inning save performance from Caden Leonard, who needed just 13 pitches and retired every batter he faced to close it out in style.

Kent State scored in three different innings to build its lead methodically. The Golden Flashes plated 2 runs in the third, added 1 in the fifth, then put the game away with a 3-run seventh powered by Covas's home run. The patience and depth of Kent State's lineup were on full display as the Golden Flashes struck out just twice as a team and drew a walk, making consistent contact all afternoon.

The victory gives Kent State its second tournament win on the day, having previously defeated Miami 3-1 behind Ciaran Caughey's gem. The Golden Flashes are now 42-14 and riding significant momentum heading into tomorrow's 12:30 p.m. matchup against either Toledo or Northern Illinois.

Game Highlights

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Luke Matthews brings Ripken Reese home with an RBI single through the left side.

KSU - 1
WMU - 0
?????? https://t.co/VGniRKDTSr #GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/XTsZALK5KP
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 22, 2026

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Sawyer Solitaria beats the throw to send Matthews home to extend the lead to two.

KSU - 2
WMU - 0
?????? https://t.co/VGniRKDTSr #GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/CYpoeI6bQa
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 22, 2026

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Brody Williams with another RBI on the day to give the Flashes a three run lead.

KSU - 3
WMU - 0
?????? https://t.co/VGniRKDTSr #GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/VXJ7utp5Vl
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 22, 2026

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Alejandro Covas gives the Flashes a five run lead after sending the ball out of the park.

KSU - 6
WMU - 1
?????? https://t.co/VGniRKDTSr #GoFlashes?? | #BiteDown | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/uGiSJNfvMs
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 22, 2026

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