Feb. 20, 2007
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State scored four first inning runs and was helped by five Georgia Southern errors as the Owls beat the red-hot Eagles, 7-5, on Tuesday afternoon in a rain-delayed affair at Stillwell Stadium.
Kennesaw State (2-3) started hot out of the gates, posting four runs in the bottom of the first. Martin Baker led off the inning with a double to right centerfield. Clint Roques followed with a walk and then moved to second when Matt Dallas laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position.
Jay Morrow recorded his third RBI of the year when his groundout to the shortstop scoring Baker to give the Owls a, 1-0, lead. KSU extended the lead to 2-0 when Adam Cross doubled down the rightfield line scoring Roques.
The scoring continued when Jace Whitmer tripled to right center, plating Cross and placing the freshman on third. Whitmer scored on the very next pitch when Brady Vaughan singled to push the lead to 4-0.
Georgia Southern (8-3), who came into the game after sweeping No. 14 Georgia Tech and recording wins against fellow A-Sun competitors Jacksonville and North Florida, didn't take long in responding as the Eagles came right back in the top of the second inning to cut the score to 4-2. After Phillip Porter walked and Brian Pierce singled up the middle, Chris Hollis drove in both runners with a two-out triple down the rightfield line.
And just as the Owls looked as if they were cruising to their second straight victroy, the skies opened up and play was halted was 56 minutes. When play resumed, GSU's Kyle Kampi came in to record three straight outs to give the Eagles a chance in the ninth. But the combination of Dan Dale and Justin Freeman was having none of it, as they shut down Georgia Southern to secure the two-run victory.
Kody Paul threw well but had bouts of wildness as he gave up three earned runs and four walks in two-and-a-thirds innings. Kyle Muschara (1-0) relieved Paul to pick up his first win of the season, while Freeman recorded the final two outs for his second save of the year. Charlie Strohecker (3-1) picked up the loss for the Eagles.
The Owls added two insurance runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to secure their second straight win.
The Owls will hit the road for a three-game series at Samford, beginning on Friday at 6:00 p.m. (EST). Saturday the two teams will square off at 1:00 p.m. (EST) and will wrap up the weekend set on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (EST).
