March 31, 2007
Box Score
GALLERY
KENNESAW, Ga. - Stetson scored 10 runs in the first three innings and was able to hold off a furious Kennesaw State rally in the late frames as they beat the Owls, 15-10, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium.
In a slugfest that produced 25 runs and 41 hits, the Owls (17-11, 2-3 A-Sun) fell behind early and trailed 10-0 after two and one-half innings before mounting a comeback, which began with five runs in the bottom of the third inning.
However, the 10-run deficit was too great for the Owls to overcome as Stetson, who had 21 hits in the game, built its lead to seven runs and never let it slip below four runs the remainder of the afternoon.
While last evening it was the Kennesaw State bats that were cold, on Saturday it was the Owls pitching that had a hard time getting going. Before the fourth inning had ended, Stetson had knocked around KSU pitching for 12 runs and 14 hits.
Stetson (22-9, 6-2 A-Sun) jumped on starter Kody Paul for five runs in the top of the first inning as they sent 11 batters to the plate. The first five batters reached base on three hits and a pair of walks as Paul lasted just one-third of an inning before giving way to Dan Dale.
The left-hander worked into the fourth inning before he gave way to Kyle Clayton. Dale pitched three innings and allowed 10 hits and seven runs including a five-run third inning. Clayton was effective in relief, scattering just five hits and allowing a pair of runs in three and two-thirds innings.
The Owls made a game of things in the bottom of the third when they tagged Stetson starter Chris Ingoglia for five runs. Tyler Stubblefield got things started with a double to left-center field. After a passed ball, Jacob Robbins singled through the left side to put the Owls on the board.
After Martin Baker reached on an error, Jay Morrow singled through the left side to bring home the Owls second run. Clint Roques came through with a two-run double down the left field line to make the score 10-4. Matt Dallas then bounced a single past third to cut the Hatters lead in half.
Andrew Martin and Rey Redden each had RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh inning to bring Kennesaw State back within five runs. Roques singled and Dallas was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning before Martin singled up the middle to make the score 14-8. After Justin Dechert came in to pitch for Stetson, he induced Stubblefield to hit into a double play before Redden singled up the middle to bring the Owls within five runs.
The Owls had chances late in the game as they left 10 runners on base over the last four innings, including the bases loaded in both the sixth and eighth innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, KSU scored a run to make the score 13-7 and had the bases load with two outs. Jace Whitmer, who has been one of the Owls top hitters this season, struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Owls loaded the bases after Morrow and Whitmer singled and Dallas walked. Stubblefield, who earlier hit a pair of doubles, singled through the right side to make the score 14-10. Redden, representing the tying run, flied out to right field to end the inning.
Stetson had eight players with multi-hit games. Brian Pruitt, Josh Clendenin, Casey Frawley and Kevin Johnson each had three hits for the Hatters. The Owls lineup had seven players go for two or more hits. Morrow had four hits to lead Kennesaw State while Robbins, Stubblefield and Redden each had three hits.
The Owls will be back in action on Wednesday evening, April 4, when they host Troy at 6:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium.
