Golden Flashes’ Championship Hopes End in 5-2 Loss to Toledo, Look to Selection Show on Monday

Saturday, May 23

Avon, Ohio

11:45 AM ET

Kent State University

42-15

University of Toledo

32-28

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Toledo	2	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	5	9	0
Kent State	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	7	1

Kent State Golden Flashes pitcher wearing No. 52 extends fully through his delivery on the mound in a navy 'Kent State' Under Armour jersey, white pants, gold cleats and socks, and a navy gold-brimmed cap, with a gold glove, a teammate set at an infield position behind him, and a partially filled stadium with teal seats visible in the background.

Golden Flashes’ Championship Hopes End in 5-2 Loss to Toledo, Look to Selection Show on Monday

5/23/2026 2:51:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score NCAA Selection Show

AVON, Ohio – The Golden Flashes' 2026 MAC Baseball Tournament run came to a close Saturday afternoon, as the Toledo Rockets defeated Kent State 5–2 in the semifinal round to advance to the conference championship game.

Despite a valiant effort from their pitching staff and flashes of offensive life in the middle innings, the Golden Flashes could not overcome an early deficit manufactured by one of the MAC's most dangerous lineups. The loss ends Kent State's conference tournament hopes, but the Golden Flashes will now turn their attention to Monday's NCAA Tournament selection show, where they will hope their résumé is strong enough to earn an at-large bid to the field.

Toledo started with two runs on two hits in the opening frame against Kent State starter Gavin Jones. JP Wagner delivered the game's first RBI with a ground-rule double to right center that scored Liam Arsich from third, and Cade Baker followed with an RBI groundout to push the lead to 2–0. The Rockets then extended the margin to three in the second inning through aggressive baserunning that forced a Flashes error.

Jones, who was outstanding in terms of durability, gutted through 6.2 innings for the Golden Flashes, throwing 99 pitches and allowing five runs on nine hits. Nate Langbehn was equally impressive from the Rockets' side, working seven full innings and surrendering just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts across 105 pitches. Langbehn earned the victory, and closer Ryan Hughes secured the save.

Kent State's offense showed resilience in spurts but never found the sustained momentum needed to threaten the lead. Ripken Reese provided the game's most electric individual moment when he drove a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning to break up the shutout and make it 4–1, providing a jolt of energy in what had been a quiet afternoon for the Flashes' bats. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe was the offensive standout for Kent State, going a sterling 3-for-3 to pace the lineup, and his run in the seventh, scoring on a Brady Marshall sacrifice fly, cut the deficit to 5–2 and briefly had the Golden Flashes within striking distance.

The Golden Flashes close their conference tournament with their heads held high after a 42–15 regular season that stands as one of the program's strongest in recent memory. With a record that commands attention nationally, the program will wait until Monday's NCAA Tournament selection show, hoping the selection committee rewards its impressive body of work with an at-large invitation to the tournament.

The selection show airs Monday, May 25, at noon on ESPN2.

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