By: KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State got another solid effort from their starting staff as Zac Griffith allowed just two runs over eight innings on Sunday afternoon as the Owls defeated Lipscomb, 6-2, to sweep the weekend series at Stillwell Stadium.
Griffith (4-1), whose eight inning stint was the longest of his career, scattered just eight hits as he struck out five batters and walked just one while throwing only 91 pitches.
“Zac [Griffith] really battled today,” said head coach Mike Sansing. “He changed speeds well, had a low pitch count and took advantage of their aggressiveness. He induced a lot of ground balls and set the tone of the game.”
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the third, the Owls (14-8, 7-2 A-Sun) answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sean McClurken, who has excelled at the leadoff sport, started things off with a single to left field. The senior second baseman is now second on the Owls in hitting as he upped his average to .338 with a three-hit afternoon.
“Sean has really adapted to the leadoff role,” added Sansing. “He has really grasped the concept of what he should and shouldn’t do as a leadoff hitter and it has really helped us the last couple of weeks.”
After Aaron Dobbs walked, Ronnie Freeman, who had three hits in the game, singled to load the bases. Andy Chriscaden followed with a two-run double that scored McClurken and Dobbs, giving the Owls a 2-1 lead. Peyton Hart (2-for-4) doubled to left center field to score two more runs as the Black and Gold were on their way to their fourth straight win.
Griffith retired the side in order in the fourth inning, one of three innings in which the southpaw put down the Bisons in order. With a 6-1 lead, Griffith allowed a run in the sixth, but kept Lipscomb (7-13, 0-3 A-Sun) hitless in the seventh and eighth innings before giving way to Andrew Austin in the ninth.
Kennesaw State will head to Statesboro, Ga. on Tuesday evening when they battle Georgia Southern at 6:00 p.m. The Owls will be back at Stillwell Stadium on Wednesday evening when they take on Georgia State at 6:00 p.m.
