April 22, 2008
Box Score
ATHENS, Ga.--Kennesaw State's baseball team played the No. 5 team in the nation tight for two-thirds of the game, but a four-run seventh inning proved to be the difference as Georgia defeated the Owls 6-2 on a picturesque Tuesday afternoon at Foley Field.
After an unearned run in the first for the Bulldogs, the Owls took the lead in the second with a pair of two-out hits. Curtis Van Wyck doubled to the gap in right center. Bucky Smith then followed with a shot to the gap as well. A diving attempt by Matt Olson came up short, with the ball landing safely for a hit. Backing up the play, Miles Starr had the ball bounce of his leg and shoot 100 feet away to the wall in right field. Van Wyck scored on the hit, and Smith raced all the way home for the second run, giving the Owls a 2-1 edge.
The Bulldogs came back to tie the score in the bottom of the inning with a second unearned run. The score remained the same through the sixth inning, though both teams threatened in that frame. The Owls started the inning with hits by Martin Baker and Ric Bishop, but the Owls couldn't get a runner farther than second. With a runner on first and two out in the bottom of the inning, Lyle Allen laced a double into the right field corner. Bryce Massanari was waved all the way around to try and score, but Jay Morrow's throw nailed Josh Whitaker at first, who relayed home to Jace Whitmer for the tag and the third out of the inning.
Blalock was lifted with one out in the seventh inning after a hit batter, a single, and a fielder's choice. Adam Fine entered with runners on first and second, allowing a run-scoring single to Ryan Peisel and a passed ball for the second run.
Georgia would load the bases in the inning with two men out, busting the game open on a double by Massanari.
Blalock (0-2) gave up four runs - two earned - in 6.1 innings of relief. Adam Fine was charged with one run on a hit and a walk with no outs recorded. Kyle Clayton gave up a run on a hit with a walk in one-third of an inning. Brett Kennedy danced in and out of trouble in his 1.1 innings of work, giving up four hits and two walks but no runs were charged to him.
Will Harvill started for Georgia, but did not factor in the decision. He allowed four hits and two earned runs with a walk and two strikeouts. Justin Earls (2-1) picked up the win with three hits allowed in three innings of work.
The Owls will return to action tomorrow when Georgia Southern visits Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m.
