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Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball team could not overcome 10 runs and 15 hits totaled by the visiting Gamecocks of Jacksonville State University Tuesday (April 14) night at Stillwell Stadium, dropping the season finale by a 9-5 score.

The loss dropped the Owls' overall record to 19-17, while the Gamecocks improved to 19-15 on the season. The two teams split the season series, with KSU winning the first two games and Jacksonville State taking the final two games.

Kal Simmons (2-for-4, one RBI), Brennan Morgan (2-for-5, one RBI), Chris McGowan (1-for-2, two RBI) and Jeremy Howell (2-for-4) combined for seven of the Owls' 10 hits in the game that placed five runs on the scoreboard in the losing effort.

In a back-and-forth midweek battle, the Gamecocks and Owls score a combined seven runs throughout the first thing innings.

Despite getting out-hit 9-2 and trailing 4-1 entering the bottom of the third inning, Kennesaw State's potent offense proved to be resilient by placing a crooked two runs on the scoreboard to pull within one.

Corey Greeson, who finished the game 1-for-5 with a run scored, led off the frame with his sixth double of the season. After a sacrifice bunt from Cornell Nixon, Simmons followed with an RBI single to center field. Two batters later, McGowan followed Simmons' lead with an RBI single to pull the Owls within 4-3.

With McGowan's third-inning single, the senior extended his hitting streak to an incredible 16 games.During the stretch, McGowan is batting .390 (23-for-59) with five doubles and two home runs. He has totaled nine RBI and 17 runs scored during the streak.

Kennesaw State's offensive firepower continued to roll in the bottom of the fifth. Still trailing 4-3, the Owls placed two more runs on the board to grab their only lead of the game.

Nixon, who is a sophomore from Marietta, Georgia, --and finished the game 1-for-2 with two runs—led things off with an infield single. Nixon, who also finished the night with a pair of stolen bases, worked around to third bases before Morgan brought him home with an RBI single to center field. Shortly after, McGowan's sacrifice fly ball scored Simmons –who walked earlier in the frame—home to give KSU a 5-4 edge.

Jacksonville State, however, scored five runs over the next three innings to secure the midweek, season series finale –including a three-run homer in the eighth inning off the bat of Ryan Sebra to secure the win.

Five pitchers saw action on the mound for the Owls. Chris Erwin, who made his fourth start of the season, allowed four runs (three earned) and nine hits over 3.0 innings of work. Benjamin Bancroft (0-1) was dealt the tough-luck loss, allowing one run on three hits in 1.1 innings of work. Brock Turner, Mason Ward and Jordan Versteeg also saw action on the mound.

Kennesaw State will return to the diamond Wednesday (April 15) evening welcoming crosstown rival Georgia to Stillwell Stadium. The game will conclude its home-and-home series with the Bulldogs. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the full 29-game home schedule at $39 per ticket. Single-game tickets are also available at $6 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 3-12). Group tickets for 10 or more people are available for advanced purchase, excluding the Georgia (Feb. 17), Georgia Tech (Mar. 17) and Georgia Southern (Mar. 24) games when individual tickets will be $10 for adults and $6 for youth. To order season tickets click here, or contact the KSU Athletic Ticket Office at 470-578-OWLS (6957).
 
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