Preview: Mercyhurst Lakers at Kent State Golden Flashes

KENT, Ohio (Interstat) — The Kent State Golden Flashes, riding high near the top of the Mid-American Conference, will look to continue their dominant season when they host the Mercyhurst Lakers in a non-conference matchup Wednesday at Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 66 degrees.

The Golden Flashes (27-10) enter with one of the nation’s winningest records and are fresh off taking two of three from Ball State last weekend. They boast a potent offense, evidenced by a 14-2 rout of these same Lakers just eight days ago in Erie.

Mercyhurst (13-20) seeks a measure of revenge after that lopsided loss. The Lakers are coming off a successful weekend, sweeping a three-game series at Maryland-Eastern Shore, capped by a 14-1 victory Sunday.

A key matchup will feature the starting pitchers. Mercyhurst will look to right-hander Andrew Malec, who is coming off a spectacular outing. On Sunday, he threw six no-hit innings against Maryland-Eastern Shore, allowing one earned run while striking out four. Over his last two starts, he has pitched 12 innings without allowing a hit.

Kent State is expected to counter with right-hander Ben Rabatin. He earned a win last Sunday against Ball State, going five innings and allowing three earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts. His season has been marked by volatility, including a tough loss at Northern Illinois on April 12 where he walked five and allowed five earned runs without surrendering a hit.

Players to watch for Mercyhurst include third baseman Logan Koslin and outfielder Zac Evenson, who combined for six hits and five RBIs in Sunday’s win. For Kent State, first baseman Brody Williams and designated hitter Nolan Belcher, who each homered in Sunday’s victory, provide power in the middle of the lineup.

Despite Kent State’s superior record and recent head-to-head dominance, Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow, high-scoring affair with Mercyhurst edging the Golden Flashes 8-7.

Following this game, Kent State opens a crucial MAC series at Western Michigan on Friday. Mercyhurst returns home to begin a series against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday.