Feb. 23, 2008
Box Score
Photo Gallery
KENNESAW, Ga.--Three players had multi-hit days and four players drove in runs as Kennesaw State took game two of a three-game series from Samford, 6-3, at Stillwell Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Much like game one of the series, the Owls jumped on the board early in game two, going ahead, 1-0, in the second inning. After singles to start the inning by Ric Bishop and Andrew Martin, a sacrifice bunt by Curtis Van Wyck moved both runners into scoring position. With two men out, a wild pitch by Samford starting hurler David Knapp brought home Bishop with KSU's first run.
A two-out single in the top of the third by Mike Marseco drove in the tying run for the Bulldogs. The score remained knotted at 1-1 until the bottom of the fourth when the Owls struck again.
Jace Whitmer started the fourth inning with a double down the line in left field. A ground out by Bishop moved Whitmer to third. The sophomore would come home to score when Martin grounded out to the shortstop, putting KSU back up 2-1.
The Owls allowed Samford to tie the game in the fifth thanks to a two-base fielding error in left. But with a runner on third and just one out, KSU pitcher Justin Edwards buckled down to retire the last two batters to end the threat.
KSU would come back with a three-spot in the bottom of the fifth to pull away. The Owls loaded the bases with no one out for Jay Morrow. The Roswell, Ga., native delivered with a single to left, driving home Tyler Stubblefield from third to give KSU the lead again, 3-2.
Whitmer came up next with the bases loaded and nearly doubled into left field. A leaping grab on a high bouncing ball by Samford's Michael Rutledge led to a fielder's choice and a force a third. However, Jacob Robbins came home to roost on the play, giving the Owls a 4-2 advantage.
Pinch hitter Jerome Wooley then stepped up and laced a 1-0 offering through the left side of the infield, scoring Morrow from second and putting KSU ahead by three.
The final run of the afternoon scored in the seventh for the Owls as Martin's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded scored Baker from third to give KSU a 6-2 cushion.
Samford would score in the eighth inning, but a sharp play by the KSU defense prevented more than one run from scoring. With two men on and two out, Marcus Rodriguez grounded a ball down the line at third for a hit. One run scored, but Rodriguez was gunned down at second on a strong throw by Morrow to end the final scoring threat of the day for Samford.
Edwards (1-0) took the win for KSU, allowing five hits and one unearned run in three innings of work. Edwards entered in relief of Justin Freeman, who went four innings to start the afternoon for KSU. The junior allowed one run on two hits while striking out four. Michael Bohana pitched the final two innings for the Owls, giving up a run on a hit.
Knapp (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs. The hurler went four innings, giving up five runs on eight hits while walking a batter and striking out five.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow in in the finale of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
