THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (12-16, 1-2), North Florida (20-11, 2-1)
Score: Kennesaw State 3, North Florida 4
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Mark Depperman vs. LHP Mason Ward
Key Players: Garrett Hodges (2-for-4, two RBI); Grant Williams (2-for-5); Corey Greeson (2-for-5); Taylor Allum (2-for-5); Brock Turner (3.0IP, 0ER)
 
Box Score (PDF) Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· A late-inning surge from Kennesaw State could not overcome a three-run deficit Sunday afternoon, falling to North Florida at Harmon Stadium, 4-3, in the weekend ASUN series finale.
· The Owls trailed by a three-run deficit twice and cut the deficit to one late in the ballgame, but the Ospreys were able to hang on with a scoreless ninth inning.
· With the loss, Kennesaw State fell to 12-16 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while North Florida improved to 20-11 overall and 2-1 in ASUN action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· The Owls totaled at least one hit in seven of their nine at-bats, but North Florida's starting RHP Mark Depperman held KSU scoreless for the first five frames to allow the Ospreys to get out in front.
· North Florida hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 2-0 advantage, and never surrendered its lead as the Ospreys led for the entire ballgame, leading by scores of 3-0 and 4-1 entering the eighth frame.
· After the Owls scored their first run in the contest from a bases-loaded wild pitch –scoring Grant Williams—Kennesaw State once again loaded the based in the eighth inning.
· Freshman Garrett Hodges, a Guyton, Ga., native, hit a two-out single to left field, scoring Chris Erwin and Griffin Helms to cut the deficit within 4-3.
· UNF held on with a scoreless ninth inning, holding off the Owls' rally as senior Corey Greeson reached base to put the go-ahead run at the plate. The Ospreys recorded the final two outs in order to secure the win and series.
· Senior RHP Brock Turner dazzled out of the bullpen, not allowing a run and just one hit in 3.0 relief innings. The Colbert, Ga., native, struck out four Ospreys on the day and faced one over the minimum.
· Offensively, Kennesaw State was led by Hodges (2-for-4, two RBI), Williams (2-for-5), Greeson (2-for-5) and Taylor Allum (2-for-5) as the four combined for eight of the Owls' 11 hits.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Grant Williams' single in the sixth inning extended his hitting streak to 13 games. His 13-game hitting streak is a team and season high for the junior.
· Taylor Allum singled in the first inning Sunday, marking the 22^nd straight game the junior has reached base, tying teammate Chris Erwin's streak in 2015. The KSU D-I record is 36 games by Max Pentecost in 2014.
· Garrett Hodges recorded his third and fourth RBI of the season in the eighth frame, ranking second amongst newcomers on the roster with runs batted in.
· The Owls totaled 10 or more hits in a ballgame for the 16^th time this season in 27 games
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State returns to Stillwell Stadium for a five-game homestand next week, kicking things off with back-to-back midweek tilts versus Mercer (Tuesday) and Western Carolina (Wednesday), before hosting ASUN rival USC Upstate April 7-9. All five games are scheduled to air on ASUN.TV.