By: by Jason Hanes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Sean McClurken had a pair of hits and a stolen base in his debut with Kennesaw State and Preseason Atlantic Sun All-Conference honoree Tyler Stubblefield had two stolen bases and an RBI as the Owls fell 10-4 to Liberty in the 2010 season opener for both teams at Stillwell Stadium.
In a game where both teams had chances to score, Liberty simply took advantage more often of their chances. Both teams got on the board in the first inning, with Tyler Bream and Michael Robertson driving in runs for the visitors and
Ronnie Freeman earning his first RBI with the Owls after drawing a bases loaded walk, making the score 2-1 after an inning.
Liberty tacked on a run in the third thanks to an infield hit by Robertson. The score stayed the same until the sixth when the Flames batted around, scoring four runs. The Owls would answer with a pair in the bottom of the inning as Peyton Hart got his first RBI as an Owl with a bases loaded walk and Stubblefield drove in a run with a fielder's choice.
Both teams scored in the seventh, as the Owls made the score 8-4 on a sacrifice fly by Clint Roques. Liberty would finish off the scoring in the eighth with a two-run home run by Bream, giving him four RBIs on the game.
Ryan Rodebaugh (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in three innings of work.
Brad Long gave up four runs in 2.1 innings, while
Josh Carr allowed three runs in 2.2 innings of action. Senior
Kyle Clayton pitched a scoreless ninth.
Carter Browning (1-0) pitched 1.1 innings of relief to get the win for Liberty.
The two teams will return to the field at Stillwell Stadium Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the second game of the three-game series.
