KENT, Ohio\u00a0\u2013 Kent State baseball hits the road for a non-conference midweek contest at Mercyhurst on Tuesday, April 14, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. Eastern.<\/p>\n
The Golden Flashes arrive at 25-9 overall and 13-5 in MAC play. Tuesday’s contest is an opportunity to build momentum heading into a pivotal home series against Ball State this weekend. Mercyhurst enters at 10-19 overall and 9-9 in conference play.<\/p>\n
Kent State’s Offense Looking to Stay Hot<\/p>\n
The Flashes have been one of the most productive offenses in the MAC all season. Kent State is scoring 8.2 runs per game, which is second in the MAC and 35th nationally, and has posted a .284 team batting average, fourth in the conference and 91st in the nation. The Flashes rank second in the MAC in runs (279), stolen bases (75), and on-base percentage (.412). They’ve drawn 191 walks as a team, third in the conference, and have been hit by 67 pitches.<\/p>\n
Sawyer Solitaria<\/a> remains one of the MAC’s most complete offensive players. Through 34 games, he is hitting .319 with 10 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .600 slugging percentage. His 28 walks and five hit-by-pitches have pushed his on-base percentage to .450, and he’s gone a perfect 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts. His home run total ranks fourth in the MAC and 81st nationally.<\/p>\n Ripken Reese<\/a> has emerged as one of the most dangerous hitters in the MAC, batting .313 with 8 home runs, 29 RBIs, and a .595 slugging percentage. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe<\/a> (.315, 28 RBIs, .460 OBP, .528 SLG%) has remained one of the top hitters for the Flashes. Brady Marshall<\/a> (.293, .464 OBP) has been as valuable as anyone in the lineup with 29 runs scored, 19 walks, nine hit-by-pitches, and 10 stolen bases in just 24 starts, with his 1.12 runs per game ranking sixth in the MAC.<\/p>\n Nolan Belcher<\/a> (.329, four HR, 19 RBIs) leads the team in average and has been excellent in his expanded role, posting a .443 on-base percentage. Brody Williams<\/a> (.286, 31 RBIs) is among the MAC’s most productive catchers. Alejandro Covas<\/a> (.295) has been one of the more consistent contributors in the middle of the order over the past few weeks, and Luke Matthews<\/a> (.248) continues to contribute with 30 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 16 walks, and nine hit-by-pitches across 33 starts.<\/p>\n Mercyhurst’s staff has posted a 9.05 team ERA and has allowed opponents to hit .283, issuing 193 walks in 229.2 innings.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mercyhurst Has Some Capable Bats<\/p>\n Despite a difficult overall record, the Lakers bring some legitimate offensive threats to Tuesday’s contest that Kent State’s staff should not take lightly. Zachary Kourous leads the team, batting .386 with seven doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 25 RBIs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mercyhurst has also been one of the most aggressive baserunning teams Kent State will see all year, having attempted 96 stolen bases. Riley Ames (19 stolen bases), Zachary Kourous (15 stolen bases), Dana Williams (12 stolen bases), and Ranciel Ventura (11 stolen bases) are the primary threats on the bases, and Kent State’s catchers will need to be attentive throughout the afternoon.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Be The Difference, Support the Baseball Excellence Fund<\/p>\n Support the baseball program today by donating to the Baseball Excellence Fund by\u00a0clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Kent State Baseball<\/p>\n For complete coverage of Kent State Baseball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS<\/a>,\u00a0Android<\/a>) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on\u00a0X<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for news and updates.<\/p>\n