KENT, Ohio (Interstat) — Ben Rabatin pitched seven dominant innings and Sawyer Solitaria hit a home run as Kent State shut out Eastern Michigan 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.

The Golden Flashes improved to 36-12 overall and won the weekend series after splitting the first two games. Eastern Michigan fell to 17-32.

Rabatin allowed three hits, struck out three and walked none over seven innings. He did not allow a run. The right-hander lowered his earned-run average significantly after throwing six scoreless innings against Akron on May 3.

Solitaria opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run through the left side. It was his first hit of the day and gave Kent State a 1-0 lead.

The game remained 1-0 until the third inning, when Kent State broke the game open. Luke Matthews singled and Solitaria followed with a single up the middle. Brody Williams singled to load the bases. Alejandro Covas then singled to right center, driving in Matthews for a 2-0 lead.

Brady Marshall followed with a single through the left side that scored Solitaria and advanced Covas and Williams. Ripken Reese then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Williams to make it 4-0.

Kent State added two more runs in the fourth inning. Matthews doubled to left center, scoring Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe after an outfield error allowed him to score. Brody Williams doubled down the left field line to bring in Matthews for a 6-0 lead.

That would be all the support Rabatin needed. He retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth innings and allowed only one baserunner after the third inning.

Nick Guidas pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out one. He extended Kent State’s shutout through the eighth.

Eastern Michigan managed only four hits in the game and grounded into two double plays. The Eagles had runners on base in the first, second, fourth and ninth innings but could not score.

Gregory Kennedy pitched three scoreless innings for Eastern Michigan, allowing no hits and striking out two. He entered in the fifth inning after starter Carter White allowed four runs over three innings. Emmett Gillies pitched a scoreless eighth.

For Kent State, Covas went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a double. Matthews went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a double. Williams went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a double. Marshall went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Solitaria finished 2 for 4 with the home run and an RBI.

Eastern Michigan’s best scoring chance came in the ninth. Molessa singled with one out and advanced to second on a passed ball. Crane reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, putting runners at first and second. But Knupp grounded into a double play to end the game.

The series victory was important for Kent State, which had lost the opener Saturday in 10 innings before winning Friday. The Golden Flashes next host Michigan on Tuesday. Eastern Michigan visits Michigan State on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Kent State 7, Eastern Michigan 5. Interstat’s ELO system gave Kent State an 81.90 percent probability to win the game.