March 25, 2008
Box Score
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KENNESAW, Ga.--In front of a Stillwell Stadium record 1,163 fans, Kennesaw State battled but a seven run second inning put the Owls in a hole they could not dig out of, falling, 12-5, to Georgia on Tuesday night.
After a scoreless first inning, the lion's share of runs were scored in the second. The Bulldogs (13-8) sent 13 men to the plate in the inning, scoring seven of them. Matt Olson started the inning with a solo homer, then drove in two more runs later in the inning with a single.
The Owls came back with three runs in the bottom of the frame. With Josh Whitaker on third and two men out, Jerome Wooley and Curtis Van Wyck each battled to draw walks. Sophomore Tyler Stubblefield came to the plate and bounced a 1-1 offering down the line in left for a three-run double, drawing KSU within four, 7-3.
The game was still within reach for the Owls until Georgia scored four runs in the fifth. An insurance run on a hit-and-run single in the sixth gave Georgia a 12-3 lead.
The Owls continued to fight, scoring two runs in the seventh. Stubblefield led off the inning with his second double of the night. Two batters later, Martin Baker bounced a double down the line in left to bring Stubblefield home. Baker advanced to third on an error in right field, then scored on a ground out by Ric Bishop.
KSU tried to threaten in the eighth, but left two runners on base.
Justin Edwards (2-2) took the loss for the Owls. Edwards allowed six runs in 1.2 innings of work. Bubba Blalock gave up six runs (five earned) in 3.2 innings of action, while Kyle Clayton pitched 3.2 scoreless innings.
Bulldogs starter Jason Leaver did not receive a decision as he was lifted after two innings of work and three runs allowed. Will Harvil (1-0) earned his first win as a Bulldog with three scoreless innings of relief.
The two teams will tangle again tomorrow afternoon in Athens. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
