By: by Heather Wade
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Kennesaw State outscored Jacksonville State over the final four innings, but the Gamecocks scored 16 runs in the first five innings en route to defeating the Owls, 17-2, on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Rudy Abbott Field.
The Gamecocks (1-4) scored early and often posting four runs on four hits in the first and seven runs on six hits in the second to make the score 11-0.
The Owls (0-4) had opportunities to score in the fourth and sixth inning, but were unable to produce runs. Josh Whitaker led off the fourth inning with a double off the fence in right, and was advanced to third by a ground out by Drew Fowlkes. Ross Tendler would put runners on the corners after being hit by a pitch, but the inning was ended with a fly out.
Bucky Smith, pinch hitting in the sixth for Josh Whitaker, drew a one out walk to give the Owls a base runner and was advanced to second on a two out walk to Fowlkes. However, again the Owls were unable to produce and the inning ended when Tendler grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Freshman Ren Buttram pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth after striking out two batters and was followed by Brad Long who recorded a three up, three down inning with two strikeouts.
The Owls got on the board in the eighth inning when Brandon Brown reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. A ball off the shoulder of Tendler would give the Owls two base runners. A pinch hit single by Joe Gorley would load the bases and a pinch hit, two RBI single by Peyton Hart would give the Owls their first two runs of the game. JSU would answer with a run in the bottom of the inning, but by then the damage was done, as the Gamecocks won by 15.
Hunter Rivers (1-0) received the win for the Gamecock and starter Sean Fream (0-2) received the loss for the Owls.
The Owls will return to action at Stillwell Stadium this Friday when Samford visits for the first game of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
