THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (1-0), Western Michigan (0-1)
Score: Kennesaw State 17, Western Michigan 4
Starting Pitching Matchup: LHP Jacob Piechota vs. RHP Tony Dibrell 
Key Players: Chris Erwin (3-for-6, 1 RBI); Austin Upshaw (3-for-5, 5 runs, 2 RBI); Forrest Bramlett (3-for-6, 3 RBI); Taylor Allum (4 RBI); Tony Dibrell (win, 5.0 IP, 7K)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Gallery (Hess)

THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State opened its 2017 season in a big way Friday night, defeating Western Michigan 17-4 in the first of three games as part of the Atlanta Challenge at Stillwell Stadium.
· The Owls' lineup produced 17 runs and sprayed 18 hits –including seven extra base hits – while starting pitcher Tony Dibrell and the bullpen staff were solid throughout nine frames to shut down the Broncos.
· With the opening-day victory, the Owls moved to 1-0 on the young season, while Western Michigan dropped to 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· Junior righty Tony Dibrell (1-0) was sharp throughout his first career Friday night start, working 5.0 innings and allowed just three hits to earn the victory.
· The Alpharetta Ga., had things going early, punching out six WMU batters throughout the first three frames and finished with seven to shut down the defending MAC Champions.
· The Owls' lineup backed the righty in a big way, plating a run in the first inning off junior Forrest Bramlett's bat which gave KSU the lead for good as head coach Mike Sansing's team led from start to finish on Opening Day.
· Kennesaw State got big days at the plate from Chris Erwin, Bramlett and Austin Upshaw, who combined for 9-for-17 and six RBI on the day, as the three totaled 50 percent of the Owls' hits on the night.
· The team's lineup produced four innings in which it posted crooked innings –including five runs in the third and fourth innings –and scored in five of eight at-bats.
· Relievers Will Bice, Mason Ward and Jordan Versteeg all made appearances out of the bullpen, working a combined 4.0 frames and allowed four unearned runs.

QUOTEABLE
"There's nothing like opening day. The excitement of players, fans and coaches for this day is special and the anticipation to get here is exciting," said Sansing. "I thought we came out and played extremely well. Offensively, we got good at-bats and I thought Dibrell (Tony) was very good tonight." 
 
#NESTNOTES: 
·  The Owls scored 17 runs Friday night versus WMU, marking the most runs scored in Kennesaw State history on opening day. The previous was 15 dating back to 2000 when KSU defeated Wingate 15-10.
· Upshaw hit a two-run home run in the third inning, marking the second-straight season the Buford, Ga., native homered in the season opener versus Western Michigan.
· Kennesaw State hit back-to-back home runs on opening day coming in the third inning, coming off the bats of Upshaw and Bramlett to give the Owls a 6-0 lead.
· Taylor Allum's fourth-inning grand slam was hit first of his career and fifth home run of his career.
 
UP NEXT
The Owls return to action Saturday afternoon for game two of the Atlanta Challenge, taking on visiting BYU at Stillwell Stadium. Kennesaw State and the Cougars are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., and will be streamed on ASUN.TV.