By: KSU Sports Information Department
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KENNESAW, Ga. – For the first time since 2005, the Kennesaw State Owls swept an Opening Weekend series as the Black and Gold topped Ball State, 10-7, at Stillwell Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Ronnie Freeman, who has the longest hitting streak in the nation, extended his mark to 32-games with a single to right field in the first inning. The sophomore catcher had two hits on Sunday to raise his average to .455 after the first weekend of the season.
For the third straight game, the Owls (3-0) jumped out to a 2-0 advantage only to have the Cardinals rally and erase the lead. After a two-run single by Peyton Hart in the bottom of the first inning, Ball State (0-3) tied the game on an RBI single by Dominic Catanzarite and a run scoring hit by Kirby Campbell.
Kennesaw State would take the lead back in the bottom of the second inning when freshman Chris McGowan drove in Ray Anderson with a single to center field. The Owls would grow their lead over the next three innings to take a, 9-2, lead into the sixth inning.
The Owls scored runs in the first six innings of the game as they pounded out a season-high 14 hits with five players having two-hit games. Hart delivered again in the third inning with a single scoring Drew Fowlkes, giving him eight runs batted in already this year.
A two-run error pushed the Owls lead to 6-2, and Anderson’s RBI single in the fifth inning gave Kennesaw State a 7-2 advantage. Anderson would contribute again in the inning when McGowan’s sacrifice fly to deep center field scored Sean McClurken, but because Ball state center fielder Cody Elliott’s back was to home plate after making a tremendous running catch, Anderson was able to hustle home from second base in an ultra rare two-RBI sacrifice fly.
Zak Griffith started and pitched into the fifth inning before Drew Duncan (1-0) came in and picked up the win with an inning and one-third of relief. Griffith struck out a career-high six batters and allowed just two runs on six hits.
The Cardinals added a three-spot in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single by Cody Elliott. But, the Owls answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to five runs.
Stephen Claypool (3-for-4) brought the Cardinals back to within three runs with a two-run double in the eighth inning off J.B. Johnson, but the Owls reliever limited the damage as Andrew Austin pitched a perfect ninth inning for save.
Once again the Kennesaw state bullpen was overpowering as the foursome of Duncan, Jordan Dean, Johnson and Austin combined for eight strikeouts over four and one-third innings. Dean struck out the side in the seventh inning as Kennesaw State pitchers totaled 14 strikeouts in the game.
Also, in the eighth inning, the game was delayed six minutes as a foul ball shattered a light fixture on the tower behind the Ball State dugout. Both teams converged onto the field and helped remove glass from the grass. The section of seats next to the visiting dugout was cleared. No fans or players were injured.
The Owls will conclude their homestand on Tuesday evening when the UAB Blazers visit Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m. with freshman Travis Dean scheduled to make the start. Tuesday evening is KSU Scarf Night with the first 50 fans receiving an official Kennesaw State scarf.
