April 12, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Jacob Robbins had three hits and the Kennesaw State baseball team jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Owls lost 7-5 to USC Upstate in the finale of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series Easter Sunday at Stillwell Stadium. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for KSU.
After surviving a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, the first four Owls reached base in the bottom of the inning as the Owls took a 3-0 lead. Robbins tripled to start the game, then scored on a balk. After singles by Bucky Smith and Curtis Van Wyck, Jace Whtimer singled to left to bring in Smith with the second run. Andrew Martin then lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Van Wyck to complete the first inning scoring.
Upstate (9-25, 3-15) came back with three runs in the third to tie the score. Two innings later, the Spartans scored two runs with the bases loaded, moving ahead 5-3. The Owls chipped away, as Van Wyck scored on a double play to cut the lead to one. With two men out in the seventh, Van Wyck's grounder to first was mishandled, allowing Jon White to score the tying run.
Upstate would move ahead to stay in the eighth inning on a single by Philip Morgan and a sacrifice fly by Austin Moyer.
The Owls (17-13, 10-4) brought the tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth innings, but twice KSU grounded into double plays, ending the threats.
Ryan Rodebaugh (1-1) took the loss for KSU, giving up two runs on four hits in three innings of work. Teddy Fallon (2-0) allowed one run in four innings for the win.
The Owls will return to action this Tuesday when they travel to Jacksonville State for a non-conference contest.
