April 25, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Jace Whitmer homered in both ends of the doubleheader, providing the winning runs in support of a complete game effort by Chad Jenkins in game two, as Kennesaw State swept both games from Campbell, 14-3 (8) and 5-3 on Friday night in Buies Creek, N.C.
In game one, every starter had a hit and seven batters had multiple hits to lead Kennesaw State to a 14-3 victory over the Camels in eight innings.
The Owls (23-22, 14-9) scored in the first on a Jay Morrow sacrifice fly, but Campbell answered in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. KSU took the lead for good in the top of the second when Josh Whitaker singled to center to bring home Curtis Van Wyck.
In the third, the Owls put two more runs on the scoreboard when Whitmer launched a two-run homer to left to give the Black and Gold a 4-1 advantage.
After the Camels (17-27, 10-16) scored in the bottom of the third, KSU exploded for a four-spot in the fourth. Whitaker led off the inning with a solo homer, then Ric Bishop drove in a pair four batters later with a double to left center. The Owls tacked on an unearned run when Whitmer reached on a Campbell throwing error.
Campbell cut into the lead in the fifth with a single run, but that would be all the scoring the Camels did in game one. The Owls scored six runs in the final two innings to force the game to an early conclusion.
Two runs appeared on the scoreboard for KSU in the seventh as Whitaker singled up the middle for an RBI, then scored two batters later on a Robbins sacrifice fly. One inning later, the Owls sealed the deal. Morrow and Whitmer started the inning with singles and with one out, Bucky Smith walked to load the bases. Whitaker continued his hot hitting with his fourth hit of the game - a single through the left side that brought home Morrow. One batter later, Tyler Stubblefield lifted a fly ball to deep right for a sacrifice fly and an RBI. Whitaker attempted to and reached second on the fly ball, and Smith scored as the throw went into second to try and retire Whitaker. One batter later, Robbins singled home Whitaker with the final run of the game.
Bubba Blalock (1-2) earned the victory with six innings of relief work for the Owls. Blalock allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in relief of Kyle Heckathorn, who lasted only two innings.
Trevor Smith (0-2) was saddled with the loss for the Camels, allowing five runs on eight hits in three innings.
The Owls trailed game two 3-0 before rallying to score five unanswered runs to get the victory.
KSU tied the game in the fifth inning thanks to a slight bit of help from the Camels. Whitmer started the inning reaching on an error. The catcher then stole second to put a runner in scoring position for Smith. Facing a 2-1 count, the freshman ripped a double down the line in right to cut the deficit to a pair.
After a walk to Whitaker, Stubblefield singled to center to score Smith and bring KSU within a run. The game was tied one batter later when Robbins singled to right, plating Whitaker with the third run.
The score remained the same until the eighth inning and Whitmer's heroics. After Morrow reached with an infield hit, Whitmer drove a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left for a two-run home run, giving KSU a 5-3 lead.
That would be enough for Jenkins (3-4). Getting stronger as the game progressed, the hurler allowed just five hits and three runs in a complete-game effort, his second of the season. Jenkins struck out eight batters, bringing his season total to 62.
