By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State scored runs in six consecutive innings to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs, 12-8, on Wednesday evening in front of the largest-ever crowd at Stillwell Stadium.
Before a throng of 1,203 raucous fans, the Owls (11-8) never trailed after the third inning as starter Sean Fream (1-1) snapped Georgia’s five-game winning streak by allowing just two earned runs over six innings of work.
After Zach Cone hit a home run in the first inning, Andy Chriscaden answered with his second home run of the year, an opposite field blast that highlighted a three-run second inning for the Owls. After Georgia took the lead with a three spot in the third inning, the Owls responded with their second three-run inning.
Freeman led off with a single and after an out Peyton Hart singled a wild pitch and a walk to Drew Fowlkes loaded the bases and Bucky Smith launched a fly ball to right center field that carried to the fence for an RBI-single that tied the game at four. Jordan Craft gave the Owls a 6-4 lead with a two-run base hit to right field.
The Owls enjoyed their third straight three-run inning in the fourth when Sean McClurken led off with a single and Aaron Dobbs was hit by a pitch. Freeman singled to left field, one of his three hits in the game, to push the lead to 7-4 before a costly, two-out, two-run error by Georgia third baseman Curt Powell put the Owls ahead by five runs.
“We finally put pressure on people offensively and it paid off,” said Kennesaw State head coach Mike Sansing. “Sean [Fream] pitched a good game tonight, he got out of some jams early and stayed poised and focused throughout the game.”
The Bulldogs (8-9) answered with a run in the top of the fifth inning when they scored on a bases loaded walk to Jonathan Hester. However, Fream got Austin Wheeler to ground to McClurken who tossed to Hart for an inning ending double play.
Both teams would score runs through the seventh inning, but the Owls would keep the Bulldogs at a distance as the Kennesaw State lead would stay at no less than four runs. Andrew Austin pitched the final three innings for his second save of the year.
The Owls will conclude their homestand this weekend when they host the Lipscomb Bisons in a three-game series at Stillwell Stadium. The Owls and the Bisons will play Friday at 6:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. All games can be seen live on ASUN.TV and can be followed www.ksuowls.com via live stats.
