AVON, Ohio (Interstat) — Kent State used a three-run home run by Alejandro Covas in the seventh inning to pull away from Western Michigan, winning 6-1 on Friday afternoon at Sprenger Stadium.

The Golden Flashes improved to 41-14, while the Broncos fell to 27-24.

Western Michigan took an early lead in the top of the first when Mally T. doubled to left field to drive in a run. But Kent State starter Ben Rabatin settled into a rhythm, allowing just four hits and one earned run over 5 1/3 innings while striking out two.

The Golden Flashes responded in the third. Ripken Reese led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Luke Matthews. Sawyer Solitaria then singled to drive in Matthews, giving Kent State a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, Solitaria singled again and Covas doubled. Brody Williams followed with a single to drive in Solitaria, making it 3-1.

The decisive moment came in the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second, Covas homered to left field, scoring Luke Matthews and Hunter Klotz to extend the lead to 6-1.

Covas finished 4 for 4 with a home run and three RBI. His performance highlighted an afternoon that saw Kent State outhit Western Michigan 12-4. Covas had been in a recent slump, going 1 for 4 in three of his previous four games before Friday’s outburst.

Kent State’s bullpen shut down Western Michigan the rest of the way. Caden Leonard pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits. Nick Guidas added 1 1/3 scoreless frames. The two combined with Rabatin to hold the Broncos to one run.

For Western Michigan, starter Sam Carlisle threw five scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out three. He did not factor into the decision. Evan Shapiro, Turner Doran and DJ Thompson also saw action in relief. Thompson struck out two in a scoreless eighth.

The Broncos’ offense was limited to four hits. Howard D. had two singles, and Mally T. had the double. Western Michigan left several runners on base, including multiple opportunities in the third and sixth innings.

The game was the first of a weekend series between the Mid-American Conference rivals. Kent State had won two of three in the previous series between the teams in April, including a 9-1 victory and an 8-7 win in 13 innings. Western Michigan won the third game 4-3.

Luke Matthews and Sawyer Solitaria each finished 2 for 4 with an RBI for Kent State. Matthews also scored twice. Hunter Klotz reached base and scored on Covas’ home run.

The Golden Flashes have now won seven of their last nine games. Western Michigan dropped its second straight after a 8-6 win over Ball State on Thursday.