42-8 was the final score tally after three games, 28 runs was the margin of victory in the last two contests combined. It was pure domination for a Kent State (23-7, 12-3) baseball team that had lost its last two conference games to Miami University two weekends ago.
In sweeping the Ohio University Bobcats, KSU used offensive outbursts from multiple players, led by redshirt junior Ripken Reese, along with strong pitching from the entire staff.
Reese had three hits in every game of the series and also drew walks in two of three to reach base a total of 11 times. Scoring and driving in six runs each, he continued what’s been his big breakout season. On the season, he’s hitting .313, with the second-highest OPS behind sophomore Sawyer Solitaria.
Solitaria and Reese both contributed to Thursday’s 11-5 victory, which was the closest game in the series. Solitaria homered in the ninth, and Reese had the dagger with a two-run single as part of a five-run ninth inning. Senior Luke Matthews also added a two-run single to cap off a two-hit day, where he came around to score three times.
On the mound, senior Ciaran Caughey twirled a gem playing behind his defense in six innings. Despite having only four strikeouts, he induced nine flyouts and held OU to just four hits.
Peyton Williams locked down his third save with an inning-and-a-third of baseball after Ohio made it a game in the seventh and eighth innings.
Friday was competitive for four innings, with KSU holding a 2-1 lead after the fourth. Donning their all-gray jerseys for the first time this season, KSU graduate first baseman Hunter Klotz sacrificed himself on a bunt to bring in the first run. Tyler Stack then provided the lone Ohio run with a home run, before junior outfielder Alejandro Covas doubled to retake the lead.
It was the last three innings that saw the Flashes put a beating on the Bobcat pitching staff. The scoring run started with a two-run single from sophomore Brady Marshall that put across two unearned runs. Solitaria then walked with the bases loaded before senior catcher Brody Williams put KSU up 7-1 with a two-run single.
After a final scoreless inning from redshirt sophomore Easton Tumis, KSU would stack on even more runs with a two-run double from Reese. With another Solitaria bases-loaded walk, an error led to three unearned runs.
Junior pitcher Brody Krzysiak then pitched the final two innings, with KSU tacking on two final runs to create the 15-1 final score.
Breaking out the gold jerseys, which the team is undefeated when wearing, KSU looked to head back home with a sweep.
It was methodical, but the Flashes used a seven-run ninth inning to run away with things and earn the sweep.
The pitching staff held Ohio to just two runs, both charged to redshirt sophomore Ben Rabatin, who still excelled for the most part. In his five innings of work, he allowed just four hits, struck out six batters and pitched with the control coach Jeff Duncan wanted to see in his team. Rabatin allowed just one walk.
Fellow Redshirt Sophomore Evan Holewinski followed up Rabatin and tossed three innings of one-hit ball, lowering his ERA to 2.25 on the season. Against him, opposing batters are hitting .174.
After the long top half of the ninth inning, Jordan Kolenda locked things down in the ninth inning to wrap up the sweep and put KSU back in first place in conference play with a 12-3 record.
Offensively, it was more of the same, riding the hot hand with everyone swinging the stick. It was Reese leading the charge again, as he homered the opposite way in the second inning to break things open. He would later single in the fifth to make it 8-0 and put the Flashes on the brink of a second consecutive run-rule effort.
Sandwiched between Reese’s hits were RBI doubles from senior infielder Grady Mee and sophomore center fielder Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe. Williams added his fourth RBI of the weekend.
Matthews then tallied a run in the seventh after an error from Ohio while stealing third.
The ninth inning woke up KSU one final time. Freshman Nolan Belcher singled in Covas before coming around to score on a double from Marshall.
A wild pitch brought in Matthews before Solitaria crushed a three-run home run that scored Marshall and redshirt junior outfielder Josh Cope, who made his second appearance in garbage time.
Senior Matt Thompson then singled in one final run before Ohio could stop the bleeding. OU went quietly, and KSU completed the sweep.
On Deck
The Wagon Wheel takes center stage at Schoonover Stadium as the Akron Zips make their way down to take on the Flashes.
This rivalry match will be counted as a non-conference game, with Akron scheduled to host the Flashes at the start of May in a game that will count towards Mid-American Conference standings.
Wednesday’s game will be the first night game this season at Schoonover Stadium, with the game scheduled for a 6 P.M. start.
Stone O’Bryant is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
