By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
NASHVILLE – Kennesaw State jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings, but a nine-run fourth inning helped the Belmont Bruins defeat the Owls, 16-7, at Shelby Park on Saturday afternoon.
Kennesaw State (9-6, 3-2 A-Sun) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with solo runs in the first and third innings. Ronnie Freeman (2-for-2) drove in both runs for the Owls with a double in the first inning and an RBI-single in the third as he finished the day with two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored.
Kennesaw State starter Bryan Blough (0-1) cruised through three innings, allowing only one base runner as Judah Akers reached on an error in the second inning. But, things fell apart for the right-hander in the fourth inning as he allowed the first batters of the inning to reach base as the Bruins scored nine runs.
Derek Hamblen led off with a double, stole third and scored on a botched pickoff attempt. Matt Zeblo followed with a single through the left side before Tim Eggerton (2-for-4) launched a three-run homer to left field for a 4-2 Bruins lead. Akers and Josh Davis followed with singles, chasing Blough in favor of Alan Busenitz.
Busenitz, who is in the midst of a very impressive early season as a middle reliever, pitched the remainder of the inning, but not before allowing both inherited runners to score and three more runs. After the inning, the Bruins (7-8, 3-2 A-Sun) would do more damage with a run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth as they built a 12-3 advantage.
Kennesaw State produced two runs in the seventh and ninth innings, but couldn’t get closer than six runs over the last five innings. Catlan Kendrick and Jeff Brown each threw two innings with Kendrick allowing three runs and Brown surrendering four runs.
Peyton Hart, Ethan Herron and Drew Fowlkes each had two hits, with Fowlkes knocking in a season-high three runs, including a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. All, but two starters had hits for the Owls, who pounded out 12 hits in the game, but left nine runners on base.
The Owls and the Bruins will conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon with a single game at 2:00 p.m. ET from Shelby Park. Kennesaw State will return home on Tuesday evening when they host Western Carolina at 6:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium.
