March 11, 2009
Box Score
ATLANTA, Ga. - Kennesaw State loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but the Owls couldn't get the tying run across the plate, falling 5-4 to No. 6 Georgia Tech on Wednesday night at Russ Chandler Stadium in baseball action.
Trailing 5-2 entering the ninth, the Owls rallied to put a scare into their local rivals. With one out, Andrew Martin singled up the middle, then moved to second on a passed ball. After a walk to Drew Fowlkes, Bucky Smith singled to load the bases. Pinch hitter Jace Whitmer grounded out to second, scoring Martin to bring the Owls within two. After a walk to Jacob Robbins, Martin Baker was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run to bring KSU (5-6) within a run.
But it was not to be for the Owls as Tyler Stubblefield - who drove in KSU's first run of the game with an RBI single, struck out to close the contest.
KSU pitching allowed just five hits to Georgia Tech (11-1), but two of those hits left the yard. Tony Plagman connected on a three-run homer in the third to give the Yellow Jackets a 4-1 lead. The score stayed the same until the sixth when Jay Dantzler hit a two-out solo home run to put the Yellow Jackets up 5-1.
The Owls clawed back with a run in the seventh. Curtis Van Wyck doubled off the wall in left center to start the inning, then scored on Smith's RBI ground out to second.
Justin Edwards (1-2) was the hard-luck loser for the Owls. Edwards allowed just five hits and five runs while walking a pair and striking out five in six innings of work. Adam Fine and Kenny Faulk each pitched a perfect inning in relief, with Faulk striking out the side in the eighth.
Kevin Jacob (2-0) earned the win, pitching a career-high eight innings and allowing just two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Mark Pope allowed two runs in the ninth but earned his fourth save.
The Owls will return to action this Friday when they host No. 21 Kent State. First pitch at Stillwell Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.
