May 8, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - After a miracle comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning and rallying to tie the game again in the 14th, Kennesaw State couldn't pull out the victory, falling 15-7 to Florida Gulf Coast in 15 innings in the opener of an Atlantic Sun Conference game Friday night at Stillwell Stadium.
Zach Maxfield's 16th homer of the season put KSU down 2-0 in the top of the first, but KSU answered with a run in the bottom of the frame as Ric Bishop reached on an error, scoring Jacob Robbins to pull within a run.
FGCU scored a run in the second, but KSU pulled within a run again when Robbins singled through the right side, plating Martin Baker. The Owls took their only lead of the game in the fifth inning when Bishop homered to right to start the inning, then an out later, Jace Whitmer launched his team-leading 13th homer of the season over the wall in left to give KSU a 4-3 lead. The Owls tacked on an unearned run when Baker raced all the way home after a failed pickoff attempt by Chris Sale.
The Eagles came back to take the lead in the seventh, first tying the score on a two-run triple by Stephen Wickens, with Wickens scoring on a wild pitch one batter later.
The Owls were down to their last hope in the ninth inning. Tyler Stubblefield doubled with one out, but after a Bishop strikeout, KSU had just one out remaining. Clint Roques was able to draw a walk, but on a 2-0 pitch, Whitmer popped up to first. The Owls caught what was potentially a season-saving break, as Eric Krznaric dropped the pop up. Stubblefield raced home to score, tying the score at 6-all.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to take control of the game in extra innings. FGCU left the bases loaded in the 10th, with Kenny Faulk coming on in relief to get a strikeout to end the threat. KSU returned the favor in the 12th, leaving the bases loaded after a ground out by Robbins. KSU had another chance in the 13th after a one-out double by Bishop. But with two men out, Baker's sinking fly ball to center was caught on a dive, leaving the winning run stranded again.
The Eagles took the lead in the 14th on a leadoff homer by Robert Greene. The Owls would rally again, as Bucky Smith doubled off the top of the wall in center to put a runner in scoring position to start the bottom of the inning. After a wild pitch and a walk, Josh Whitaker lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Smith with the tying run.
But in the 15th, FGCU flexed its muscle, scoring eight times to put the game away. A two-run double by Brad Roberts broke the tie, and the game was salted away on a grand slam by Josh Chester.
Brad Long (3-2) took the loss for the Owls, allowing seven runs (two earned) in two-thirds of an inning. Craig Crumbly (6-3) earned the win with two innings of relief. Neither starting pitcher factored in the decision as KSU's Kyle Heckathorn was lifted after allowing three runs on nine hits in six innings of work, while Sale gave up six runs (three earned) in 8.2 innings.
FGCU (32-16, 20-5) assured itself of first place in the A-Sun following the series as even if the Owls (27-19, 17-7) sweep Saturday's doubleheader, they will still be one-half game behind in the standings. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m., with Senior Day festivities preceding the action.
