May 3, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Senior Curtis Van Wyck homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs to lead Kennesaw State past Jacksonville, 15-9, on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of an Atlantic Sun Conference baseball series at Stillwell Stadium.
"Offensively, we swung the bat really well," said KSU head coach Mike Sansing. "We had some big innings, which helped out a lot. Our pitching made it a little frustrating with 11 walks on the day, but any time we can get a win, it's a good day."
The Owls started the scoring in the first when Jace Whitmer picked up right where he left off in yesterday's second game, getting a roller through the right side with the bases loaded for a two-run single. After a fielder's choice produced the second out of the inning, Van Wyck drilled a 1-0 offering from Matt Tomshaw over the wall in right center for a three-run homer, giving the Owls a 5-0 advantage.
The score stayed the same until the fifth when Ric Bishop's second double of the day drove in Tyler Stubblefield from first, giving the Owls a 6-0 lead. The Dolphins (29-15, 17-10) scored three runs in the sixth and had the tying run at the plate, but Brad Long was able to get out of the jam without any further damage.
KSU answered right back in the bottom of the inning, as Van Wyck led off with a first-pitch line drive homer over the 367-foot mark in right center, extending the lead back to four. Andrew Martin scored when Jacob Robbins grounded into a double play, making the score 8-3. KSU kept fighting with two men out, as the next five men all reached base savely. Stubblefield and Bishop singled, and after a walk to Clint Roques, the bases were loaded for Whitmer. The junior delivered a two-run single to left, giving KSU a 10-3 lead. the final run of the frame scored when Martin Baker's double to the wall in center plated Roques with KSU's 11th run.
Jacksonville scored a pair in the eighth, but the Owls scored four more. A pinch-hit double by Bucky Smith brought in Bishop, who reached after his fourth hit of the day. One batter later, Van Wyck completed his stellar day at the plate with a two-run double to the wall in center. A Jacksonville error two batters later would allow Van Wyck to score KSU's 15th and final run.
JU added four runs in the ninth to edge closer, but it would make no difference as the Owls prevailed to win the series.
Justin Edwards (4-3) worked five innings and allowed just three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts to earn the win. Long and Wes Tignor were able to record the final dozen outs of the contest for KSU.
Matt Tomshaw (3-3) took the loss for Jacksonville, allowing nine runs (six earned) in 5.2 innings.
Due to finals, the Owls will be idle until Friday when Florida Gulf Coast comes into Kennesaw for a three-game homestand to close out the home slate for the Owls. FGCU leads KSU by 1.5 games for first in the A-Sun. First pitch Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium.
Notes: Van Wyck's six RBIs is the most for an Owls player since Drew Fowlkes had six against Stetson February 28 of last season...Bishop went 7-for-10 in the last two games of the series and now leads KSU with 58 hits and 46 RBIs.
