By: KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. – Andy Chriscaden had three hits, including a three-run home run, and drove in a career-high five runs to lead Kennesaw State past Lipscomb, 11-7, on Friday evening at Stillwell Stadium.
“Andy’s first three at-bats were very good,” said Kennesaw State head coach Mike Sansing. “He had the big two-run double that got us started in the third and then hit the home run in the fourth that really swung the momentum in our favor.”
The Owls (12-8, 5-2 A-Sun) jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Chriscaden hit a two-run double to left-center field in the bottom of the third inning and after Lipscomb scored in the top of the fourth, Chriscaden delivered again with an opposite field, three-run home run to highlight a six-run fourth inning.
“I am really happy that we came into the game with the same intensity that we had for the Georgia game,” said Chriscaden. “Everything was going right for us tonight and I was glad that I was able to get some good at-bats and contribute.”
With the Owls leading 8-3 in the top of the sixth inning and Lipscomb (7-11, 0-1 A-Sun) having loaded the bases off starter Josh Carr, reliever Jeff Brown induced T.J. Hoelzer into a weak pop fly to shallow left field and then got M.L. Williams to ground into a force play at second base to end the inning.
“Jeff [Brown] did a very good job in relief tonight,” added Sansing. “He pitched us out of a crucial jam in the sixth inning and bridged us into the ninth.”
Josh Carr (2-1) earned the win, going five and one-third innings while scattering six hits and three runs. The right-hander pitched out of jams in the first and second innings by inducing inning-ending double plays when the Bisons had runners on first and second. Caden Ferguson pitched the ninth inning to close out the win.
“We did a good job of keeping the ball down and away,” commented Sansing. “We got out jams early, made key pitches when we needed to and got the double plays when we needed them.”
Chriscaden and Sean McClurken each had three hits to lead a 12-hit Kennesaw State attack. Aaron Dobbs and Peyton Hart added two hits each as the Black and Gold won their second game in a row.
The Owls and Bisons will play the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats on www.ksuowls.com and can be seen on ASUN.TV with coverage beginning at 1:50 p.m.
