March 13, 2007
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Kennesaw State scored four runs in the first inning and added three more in the fourth as the Owls held on for a 7-4 win over Jacksonville State on Tuesday evening at Rudy Abbott Field.
Kennesaw State (11-7), winners of two straight games, shut down Jacksonville State in the bottom of the ninth inning as they earned a measure of revenge from the 11-7 loss the Gamecocks (6-9) gave the Owls back on Feb. 27 at Stillwell Stadium.
Leading 7-3 and three outs away from victory, the Gamecocks got a one-out single from Garrett Bass (1-for-2) and then Bert Smith (3-for-4) doubled down the left field line to pull Jacksonville State within three runs. Justin Freeman relieved Dan Dale and got Andrew Edge (0-for-2) to foul out and struck out Jake Ball (2-for-5) to secure the Owls win and his fourth save of the season.
The Owls got on the board in their first at bat when they rallied to score four runs with two outs. With one out, Martin Baker (3-for-6) singled and stole second base before a pair of walks to Jay Morrow (0-for-3) and Jace Whitmer (2-for-4) loaded the bases.
Matt Dallas (2-for-5) then delivered a two-run single to right field and Zac Upton (1-for-4) followed with a two-RBI double down the left field line to give Kennesaw State a four-run first inning cushion for Kyle Clayton.
Kennesaw State scored three times in the fourth inning when Ray Redden (1-for-3) walked and Jacob Robbins (2-for-4) extended his hitting streak to 32 games with a bunt single down the first base line. Baker also reached on a bunt single to load the bases.
Morrow grounded to second base to score Kennesaw State's fifth run and Whitmer followed with a double down the left field line, scoring Robbins and Baker and giving the Owls a 7-1 advantage.
Kyle Clayton pitched five solid innings for the Owls before giving way to Bubba Blalock in the sixth inning. Clayton allowed five hits and two runs as he earned his second win of the year. Blalock was overpowering in his relief apperance, striking out six in two and two-third innings.
Jacksonville State scored solo runs in the fifth and seventh innings to close the gap, but Kennesaw State used a solid relief efforts by Blalock, Dale and Freeman to win its seventh road game of the year.
The Owls will be back in action on Wednesday evening when they host No. 21-ranked Georgia Tech at Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
