Sophomore center fielder Micah Rienstra Kiracofe has long been known for his defense, but over the last four games he has unlocked his offensive prowess. If it stays like this, this stretch might make him the most complete player on the team.
He homered again en route to a 14-2 run-rule victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers, as the Flashes started hot and never looked back.
Sophomore right fielder Sawyer Solitaria started the scoring with a single to left field that brought in redshirt freshman Nolan Belcher.
Solitaria then teamed with Kiracofe to execute the first and third double steal that made it 2-0.
Redshirt sophomore Gavin Jones then twirled a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his first start in three weeks.
Jones finished with two innings pitched, allowing a run on a single from graduate student Zac Evenson in the second inning and then exiting after a lengthy rain delay. For the game, he allowed two hits and walked a batter with the two aforementioned strikeouts.
Before the rain delay, Kiracofe left his mark with a home run that led off the third inning. Graduate first baseman Hunter Klotz then drove in Solitaria for the second run of the inning before senior infielder Grady Mee singled in junior Alejandro Covas.
Freshman Parker Lind then entered in relief after the delay and was able to earn his third win on the season after two more good innings. His only blemish came on a home run from sophomore Zach Black.
The home run did not come at much cost as it was 7-1 by that point in the fourth, with Covas picking up an RBI and creating his own offense with a stolen base before scoring on a wild pitch.
Things would get even more out of hand as the Flashes delivered three more runs in the fifth, two of the runs coming on doubles from Solitaria and Covas. Solitaria, Covas and Kiracofe were all two for four with two runs and two RBI’s
Every starter but Klotz collected a base hit in what was a 14-hit parade by the Flashes.
KSU put the finishing touches on the win with a four-spot in the sixth, sophomore shortstop Brady Marshall brought in senior catcher Brody Williams to make it 11-2. Belcher reached first on an error that allowed two runs to score before Kiracofe singled to the pitcher to make it 14-2.
Freshman pitcher Peyton Williams wrapped up a trio of freshman relief appearances with a solid seventh to run-rule the Lakers.
Grant Keffaber was the other freshman to pitch and he had two scoreless innings, but was a bit erratic with his command, allowing four free passes.
On Deck
The Flashes will pick up conference play with a three-game home series against the Ball State Cardinals. The matchup is pivotal as Kent State sits one game above Ball State and four other teams in the Mid-American Conference with a 13-5 record.
KSU has dropped series to two of the other four schools in Miami and Northern Illinois, so the series will be key for Kent State in terms of earning potential tiebreakers.
Getting strong starts from the rotation of senior Ciaran Caughey and redshirt sophomores Easton Tumis and Ben Rabatin will be key after all three put up less than stellar performances in DeKalb, IL.
Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
Stone O’Bryant is a reporter. Contact [email protected].
