By: KSU Sports Information Department
NASHVILLE – Ronnie Freeman hit his first home run of the season and Jordan Craft hit a three-run homer to help lift Kennesaw State over Belmont, 7-5, to take the final game of the three-game series at Shelby Park on Sunday afternoon.
“This was a good win for us today,” said head coach Mike Sansing. “After two tough games this weekend, this was one we needed and I’m glad we were able to head back home with a victory.”
The Owls (10-6, 4-2 A-Sun) scored a run in the first inning on a double to right-center field by Freeman before Craft went the opposite way on a three-run shot in the second inning as Kennesaw State spotted starter Zac Griffith four runs.
Griffith (3-1) scattered 12 hits over seven innings as he won his second straight decision. Although he allowed a hit in every inning, Griffith pitched a solid game. After allowing a hit and hitting a batter to begin the second inning, the southpaw settled down as he allowed two runs on an infield single and one of three double plays turned by the Owls.
“I thought Zac pitched very well today,” said head coach Mike Sansing. “He did a good job of keeping the ball down, hitting the corners and was able to get a lot of ground balls and stay out of trouble.”
Kennesaw State added three runs in the seventh inning on Freeman’s two-run home run to right field, his first home run of the season and giving him his second straight two-hit game. Ethan Herron, who led the Owls with three hits, drove in Kennesaw State’s seventh run with a single.
Belmont (7-9, 3-3 A-Sun) scored a run in the eighth inning off Andrew Austin and then scored two more in the bottom of the ninth inning as Nate Woods ripped a two-run shot over the left field fence before J.B. Johnson got Tim Eggerton to pop to second base to end the game and snap the Owls four-game losing streak.
Kennesaw State will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they host Western Carolina at 6:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium as they begin a six-game homestand which includes a day/night doubleheader with Harvard and Georgia on Wednesday and a three-game weekend series against Lipscomb.
