Feb. 17, 2007
Box Score
Kennesaw, GA- Kennesaw State jumped out with a great start for the second game in a row but could not overcome the Catamounts five run fifth inning, as the Owls drop game two of the three game series 10-6 at Stillwell Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls (0-3) came out swinging with three runs on three hits in the first inning. Jacob Robbins reached on an infield single, extending his hit streak to 25 games to lead off the game for the Owls. Martin Baker followed with a double bringing Robbins around to third. After a Matt Dallas ground out and a walk by Jay Morrow, Adam Cross doubled down the left field line bringing in Robbins and Baker. Jace Whitmer followed the double with a ground ball to shortstop bringing in Jay Morrow for the third and final run of the inning.
Western Carolina (2-0) answered in the second inning with an RBI single by Kenny Smith scoring from second Jon Ingram, after reaching on a fielder's choice. After a two-out walk by Robbins and a single to left by Baker the Owls notch another run with an RBI single to left center by Dallas increasing the Owls lead to three.
With two outs in the top of the third Catamounts catcher, Jon Greene, doubled to left center before Blake Murphy put one over the left field wall, diminishing the Owls lead, making the score 4-3.
Owls starter, Micah Sales (0-1), was unable to finish the fifth and was relieved by Matt Eckardt (0-0). The Catamounts went on to post five unearned runs that inning. Following a tough error on a hotshot to Dallas at third along with three more Catamount hits, Eckardt was replaced by Dan Dale (0-0) who stuck out pinch hitter Kyle Cichy to end the inning.
Dan Dale went on to pitch 4.1 innings allowing two runs on five hits. The first of the two runs came in the top of the eighth followed one more run in the top of the ninth putting Western Carolina on top 10-4.
Three Owls made their season debut as pinch hitters in the bottom of the ninth. All three Owls singled in their debut beginning with Daniel Hester, followed by consecutive singles from Jerome Wooley and Clint Roques. With the bases loaded Upton delivered a single to right field bringing Hester home from third. With the bases still loaded and two outs Hopkins singled up the middle bringing in Wooley for the final run of the game.
Micah Sales picked up his first loss of the season with three earned runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. Brock Thornburg (1-0) notched his first win of the season after allowing four earned runs on six hits in five innings pitched. Tyler Johnson (0-0) picked up his first save of the season on four innings pitched.
The two teams will meet for the final game of the series Sunday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. The Owls will be trying to prevent a sweep at Stillwell Stadium.
