THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (17-18, 6-2), Stetson (15-22, 5-3)
Score: Kennesaw State 7, Stetson 3
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Perkins vs. RHP AJ Moore
Key Players: Grant Williams (3-for-4, RBI), Garrett Hodges (2-for-4, two RBI), Taylor Allum (1-for-3, HR, two RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· Six runs scored over the final four innings propelled Kennesaw State past host Stetson Friday evening, defeating the Hatters at Melching Field, 7-3, to secure the ASUN series.
· The Owls scored just one run over the first five frames, but a four-run sixth and two-run eighth propelled KSU past the Hatters.
· With the win. Kennesaw State improved to 6-2 overall in ASUN action and 17-18 overall, while Stetson dropped to 5-3 in league play and 15-22 overall.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· The Owls wasted no time and jumped on the scoreboard in their first at-bats when senior center fielder Chris Erwin's double gave the visitors a 1-0 edge.
· Kennesaw State placed two baserunners on the bags throughout the first four frames, but left seven runners on and managed just a 1-0 edge, before Stetson took its first lead with a pair of runs in the fifth.
· But patience at the plate paid off in a big way for the Owls, plating a crooked four runs on four hits, including RBI singles from Jeremy Howell and Grant Williams, before a two-out, two-run double off Garrett Hodges' bat to give KSU a three-run cushion.
· RHP AJ Moore (4-3), a Dacula, Ga., native, was solid on the mound, out-dueling Hatters' righty Jack Perkins allowing just three runs on six scattered hits in 6.0 innings.
· Moore worked five of his six frames with the lead, and punched out six Stetson batters and issued just one walk to limit the bats of the host team.
· Leading 5-3 in the eighth, Taylor Allum –who entered the night leading the ASUN in home runs—added two insurance runs with a two-run HR over the right field wall to take a 7-3 lead.
· That would be more than enough as senior RHP Gabe Friese tossed 3.0 scoreless relief innings to earn his second save in as many weeks.
· The Kennesaw native allowed just one hit out of the bullpen and struck out three to close the door and secure the series.
· Offensively, the Owls were led by Grant Williams (3-for-4, RBI), Garrett Hodges (2-for-4, two RBI), Taylor Allum (1-for-3, HR, two RBI), as the three combined for six of the 11 hits and five of the seven runs driven in.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Chris Erwin extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an RBI double in the top of the first inning. The senior has driven in at least one run in four of his last six games played.
· Taylor Allum walked in the third inning Friday evening, extending his streak to 29 straight games of reaching base safely. The KSU D-I record is 36 games by Max Pentecost in 2014.
· Allum entered the night leading the ASUN in home runs and added to that total with his 12^th on the season. The single-season record in D-I history is 15, and now sits four away from breaking that mark.
· Kennesaw State totaled 10 or more hits in a ballgame for the 22nd time in 35 contests.
· Dating back to a season ago, the Owls have won nine of their last 10 ASUN series.
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State looks to finish strong Saturday afternoon, wrapping up its series with a chance to sweep Stetson. The Owls and Hatters are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., and will air live on ESPN3.