By: by Scott Lipsky
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Three Owls had multiple hits and Kennesaw State was able to battle back after trailing 3-0 and 6-3, but were unable to hold on at the end, as they gave up two runs in the eighth inning and were edged out by the Georgia Southern Eagles, 8-7, on Tuesday evening at Stillwell Stadium.
The Owls (7-10), who allowed 17 hits during the contest, led 7-6 at the start of the eighth inning, using a four-run seventh that featured a two-run home run by right fielder Josh Whitaker to propel them to their only lead of the game.
It was not to be, however, as Brad Long (L, 2-1) allowed the first two Georgia Southern (9-8) batters to reach base in the top of the eighth before giving way to J.B. Johnson, who gave up what would prove to be the game-winning double to center field with one out in the inning to put the Eagles ahead for good.
Kennesaw State fell behind 1-0 in the top of the second inning and then found themselves in a 3-0 hole in the top of the third when Eagles third baseman A.J. Wirnsberger hit an offering from Kennesaw State starting pitcher Zak Griffith over the right center field fence with one out in the inning.
It wouldn't take long before Kennesaw State was able to even it up, however. Still behind 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, head coach Mike Sansing's squad quickly loaded the bases with nobody out on two hits and a GSU error. After back-to-back Owls were retired, second baseman Sean McClurken drew a five-pitch walk to put the Owls on the board, and Tyler Stubblefield followed with an RBI single that scored two runs and pulled the game even at 3-3.
The Eagles used a pair of runs in the fifth and another in the seventh to move out in front 6-3 before the Owls big inning briefly put them back in front.
With the loss, the Owls have now dropped their second consecutive contest after winning six out of seven to get to within one game of .500.
Freshman catcher Ronnie Freeman went 2-for-5 on the evening to notch his seventh multi-hit performance in his last eight games. First baseman Ross Tendler and left fielder Clint Roques also went 2-for-5 in the contest.
Griffith went four and a third innings on the mound for the Owls on Tuesday evening, giving up five earned on eight hits in his second start of the season.
The Owls face local rival Georgia State on Wednesday evening at Stillwell Stadium, with first pitch being scheduled for 6 p.m.
