THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (1-0), UCONN (0-1)
Score: Kennesaw State 7, UCONN 3
Starting Pitching Matchup: LHP Tim Cate vs. RHP AJ Moore
Key Players:  AJ Moore (4.0 IP, 3 hits, 6K); David Chabut (2-for-3); Terence Norman (2-for-4, 2RBI); Jaylen Smith (1-for-3, RBI); Nathan Dupree (3.0 IP, 2 hits, 4K); Jake Franklin (1-for-4, 2RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

THE STORYLINE: 
· A two-out, two-run home run off the bat of sophomore OF Terence Norman in the bottom of the sixth gave Kennesaw State the go-ahead lead it never surrendered, defeating Connecticut at Stillwell Stadium on opening night, 7-3.
· KSU hit three home runs on the night that backed a combined 8.0 scoreless innings between RHP AJ Moore, LHP Nathan Dupree (1-0) and Deviner McCray.
· With the win, the Owls moved to 1-0 on the young season, while UCONN dropped to 0-1. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· Moore, who made his first Friday night start in his career, was stellar in four innings, allowing just three hits on the mound.
· The RHP from Dacula, Ga., issued just one walk and struck out six, falling three shy of tying his single-game record for strikeouts while facing four over the minimum.  
· The Owls' offense, paced by CVCC Jaylen Smith (1-for-4, RBI), Jake Franklin (1-for-4, two RBI), and Terence Norman (2-for-4, two RBI), scored runs in the first, fourth, sixth and eighth frames to plate seven on the night.
· The Owls' Smith, Norman, and Franklin each hit a home run on the night for the Black and Gold to pace the lineup and combined for five runs batted in.
· Dupree, who picked up the win for the Owls, tossed 3.0 scoreless frames allowing just two hits and struck out four on the night.
· RHP McCray, who made his Owl debut, shut out the Huskies in the ninth to secure the victory.
 
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are available for $39 and can be purchased online by CLICKING HERE. You can also reach the ticket box office by calling 470-578-4849 for any season ticket inquiries.

Premium home games include Georgia (Feb. 21), Mercer (Feb. 27), Samford (March 2), North Florida (April 13), Lipscomb (April 20), Georgia State (May 8), Georgia Southern (May 9) and Clemson (May 15), and are priced $10 for single-game tickets. 

HALL OF FAMER MICKEY DUNN HONORED
Mickey played center field for the Hornets from 1978-1981. Mickey hit .383 his freshman season, earning All-Conference and All-District honors at Southern Tech, making an immediate impact on the program. He then went on to register a .303 batting average his sophomore season, leading the club with 34 games played, 132 at-bats, 38 runs scored, and tied for the team lead in total bases with 48 that same season that led to a 20-14 overall record. Mickey finished his final two seasons batting .343 and .370, during his junior and senior seasons, respectively.

Mickey now is the President and CEO of ML Industries, a leading manufacturer of items such as airbags and automobile seat covers. More than 400 million vehicles on the road carry Mickey's products and the company has over 100 employees or employees children on full scholarships.
 
He threw out the ceremonial first pitch to open the 2018 season.

UP NEXT
Kennesaw State continues its opening weekend hosting Minnesota for a doubleheader at Stillwell Stadium Saturday afternoon. The first of two games begins at 1 p.m., and the twin bill will be streamed live on Facebook.
 

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