April 15, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga.--Martin Baker's bases loaded single in the bottom of the eighth brought home the tying and game-winning runs, lifting Kennesaw State (20-17) past UAB, 3-2, on a brisk night at Stillwell Stadium.
The win marked the first time this season that the Owls have come back after trailing entering the eighth inning. KSU had been 0-15 in those situations before tonight's game.
"It's really encouraging. We've been playing extremely well the past two and a half weeks," said KSU head coach Mike Sansing. "Our being able to come back tonight is just more evidence to prove that fact."
The Owls trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, stymied to that point by UAB starting pitcher Kyle Roberson (4-3). But with one out in the inning, the Black and Gold mounted a charge. Hits by Bucky Smith and Curtis Van Wyck put runners on the corners for Tyler Stubblefield. The sophomore laced the first offering from Roberson through the left side of the infield to score Smith and bring the Owls within a run.
KSU got a gift from the Blazers (14-21) in the next at bat. With runners on first and second, Jacob Robbins grounded the ball to second baseman Ben Drust. Looking to turn two, UAB instead got nothing as the throw from Drust to retire Stubblefield at second was wild. The error loaded the bases for Baker's heroics.
With a 1-0 count, Baker lifted a fly ball into right center that just dropped in front of UAB's Brint Hardy. Van Wyck scored standing and Stubblefield slid into home safely to give the Owls the lead for the first time in the game.
"[Stubblefield] must have gotten a better read on the fly ball than I did," said Coach Sansing. "From my perspective I wasn't sure that the ball was going to drop in. But he made the right read and we were able to take the lead."
The first two UAB batters reached to start the ninth as the Blazers threatened to tie the game. But KSU reliever Michael Bohana (2-2) got out of the jam to earn the victory, thanks in large part to a tremendous defensive play by Van Wyck at short to retire the final batter.
The heroics of the late innings overshadowed a strong performance on the mound by KSU starter Ryan Rodebaugh. The freshman was brilliant, not allowing a hit and striking out 10 Blazers in five innings of work.
"I thought Ryan was really in command of the game," said Coach Sansing. "He allowed one run, but I never felt he wasn't in control when he was out there tonight."
With the win, the Owls improve to a season-best three games over the .500 mark thanks in large part to wins in 10 out of the last 11 contests. KSU moved to 5-1 all-time against the Blazers with the victory.
The Owls will look to extend their three-game winning streak to four with a rematch against the Blazers tomorrow in Birmingham, Ala. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. CDT.
