By: by Jason Hanes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Freshman Peyton Hart had four RBIs, with three coming on a bases loaded triple, to help Kennesaw State to its first win of the year, 11-6, over Samford on a brisk Friday evening at Stillwell Stadium.
"I thought we did a good job of getting momentum going for us early," said Kennesaw State head coach Mike Sansing. "Peyton had a couple of really good at-bats, worked the count in his favor, and came up with a couple of big hits for us tonight."
Hart's triple came as the cap to a five-run seventh inning for the Owls. After a single by Stubblefield led off the inning, the senior shortstop went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sean McClurken. One batter later, Josh Whitaker tied the score, 6-6, with a solid single into center. After a wild pitch moved Whitaker to second, Ross Tendler hit a bouncing ball up the middle that was fielded with a beautiful diving stop by Samford's Michael Johsnson; however, Johnson's throw to get Tendler at first went wide, allowing Whitaker to score the go-ahead run on the error.
After a single through the left side by Clint Roques, Ronnie Freeman moved the two runners into scoring position with a light chopper between the mound and first. With two out in the inning, Bucky Smith was walked, setting the stage for Hart's heroics. On the eighth pitch of the at-bat, Hart sent an offering from Mark Lewallyn down the line in right. The ball tailed away from Samford's Trey Hayes in right, falling on the track for what proved to be a bases-clearing triple.
The Owls set the tone early as Stubblefield led off the game with a homer into the balcony of the Bailey Building in left-center. After a one-out single by Whitaker, Drew Fowlkes deposited the ninth pitch of the at-bat from Jonathan Stephens over the wall in right for a two-run homer, giving KSU the lead, 3-0.
Samford (3-3) tied the score in the fourth as Hayes delivered the big blow with a two-run single back up the middle. KSU reclaimed the lead in the fifth as McClurken sent a tailing liner into right center for an RBI single. The Owls tacked on another run in the sixth as Hart singled home Fowlkes with a shot into center.
Samford took the lead for the final time in the seventh, scoring three runs thanks to a bases loaded walk and a fielding error that on a potential double play ball that instead allowed two runs to score.
Brad Long (1-0) earned the win for the Owls, going 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. Ryan Rodebaugh got the start for the Owls and went five solid innings, giving up just the three runs (two earned).
Andrew Jones (0-1) took the loss for Samford, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits in one inning of action.
The two teams will meet tomorrow for the second game of the series. First pitch at Stillwell Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
