Feb. 24, 2008
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KENNESAW, Ga. -- Jacob Robbins tripled and scored a run, but the Kennesaw State baseball team fell in the finale of a three-game series to Samford, 7-2, on Sunday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium.
For the first time this season, the Owls trailed in a game as Samford scored a pair of runs in the top of the first off of KSU starter Bubba Blalock (0-1). KSU came back in the bottom half of the first with a run of their own as Robbins tripled off the top of the wall in right center, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Martin Baker.
The Bulldogs pulled away in the third inning, scoring three runs with two out in the frame. Five consecutive Samford batters reached base, with four batters getting aboard via singles and one on a walk.
A homer to left field by John Morgan extended Samford's lead to five, 6-1, in the top of the sixth.
The Black and Gold threatened to jump back into the contest in the eighth. With one out, Baker was hit by a pitch to start the potential rally. Jay Morrow walked but would be eliminated one batter later when Jerome Wooley grounded into a fielder's choice. With runners on the corners, Josh Whitaker walked to load the bases for Andrew Martin. An 0-1 offering tailed too far inside, hitting Martin and forcing in a run to make it 6-2.
With a chance to do more damage, the Owls (2-1) were instead stymied by reliever Doug Denson, who retired the final KSU batter on a fly ball to end the inning.
Samford (1-2) would score an unearned run in the ninth. Denson would face just three batters in the ninth inning, earning the save to give the Bulldogs a victory, salvaging a game in the series.
Jonathan Stephens (1-0) earned the victory for Samford, pitching six innings and allowing two hits and one run. Taylor Hammond went 1.2 for Samford, giving up a hit and a run, while Denson hit a batter in 1.1 innings of action.
Blalock took the loss for the Owls, giving up five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. Kenny Faulk, Wes Tignor, Kyle Clayton, and Adam Fine also saw action for KSU, with Faulk and Clayton keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
KSU will return to action on Tuesday when Troy visits Stillwell Stadium. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.
