By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Facing a team that had scored 30 runs in its previous game, Kennesaw State's pitching staff held Georgia State to just a pair, as the Owls came back with two in the ninth to defeat the Panthers, 3-2, at Stillwell Stadium
Wednesday evening.
The Owls (8-10) used solid pitching from freshmen Catlan Kendrick and Kelly Holt and from junior J.B. Johnson to limit the Panthers to six hits. While Georgia State's starter Charley Olson was solid through eight innings, the wheels came off in the ninth, as a fielding error, a bunt single by senior Tyler Stubblefield, and a fielder's choice loaded the bases. Closer Trey Malone recorded the first out, but KSU's Ronnie Freeman reached on catcher's interference by Georgia State's Carter Sackett to bring in the tying run. Two pitches later, Ross Tendler was plunked in the arm, bringing home the winning run for KSU.
"I thought our team fought really hard
tonight," said KSU head coach Mike Sansing who saw his team win for the first time in 2010 when trailing after eight innings. "Our pitching kept us in the ball game the entire time, and our offense was able to do enough in the ninth to get the win. We were able to execute a couple of bunts in the ninth inning that really helped us win the game."
The Owls opened the scoring in the third when Stubblefield singled into right to bring home Clint Roques. Georgia State (8-8) took the lead in the sixth as a Freeman throwing error brought in the first run and a double down the line in left by Bryan Williams brought in Brett Maxwell with the second and final run of the game for the Panthers.
Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win, improving to 2-0 on the year. Olson was the hard-luck loser, throwing 105 pitches but being charged with three runs (one earned) in eight-plus innings.
While Georgia State came into the game batting an NCAA-best .395, Kennesaw State pitchers were not intimidated in the least. Kendrick and Holt - freshmen from Sharpsburg and Stockbridge on the south side of Atlanta - combined to allow just six hits in eight innings while fanning six. Johnson - a junior college transfer from Marianna, Fla., - did not allow a hit in the ninth, as Georgia State's offense was held to a season-low two runs.
The Owls will be back in action
Friday afternoon at 6 p.m. in Buies Creek, N.C., as they open Atlantic
Sun Conference play against Campbell.
