By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
DeLAND, Fla. – Zac Griffith pitched seven solid innings and Jordan Craft hit a two-run home run, but it wasn’t enough for Kennesaw State as the Owls were swept by the No. 25-ranked Stetson Hatters, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at Melching Field.
Kennesaw State (19-15, 8-6 A-Sun) got on the board with a run in the top of the first inning when Andy Chriscaden’s fly out to shallow right center field scored Aaron Dobbs. The lead was short-lived as Stetson answered when Nick Rickles lined a two-run single up the middle in the bottom of the inning as the Hatters led after the first inning for the third straight game.
Griffith (6-2) pitched a gem for the Owls as he allowed just five hits over seven innings. The left-hander kept the Hatters off balance all afternoon and cruised through the second, third and fourth innings before Stetson (25-7, 12-3 A-Sun) added a pair of runs in the fifth.
With two out and first base open, the Owls intentionally walked Rickles, who drove in six runs over the weekend. Ben Carhart promptly lined the first pitch by Griffith, a hanging curveball, for a double down the left field line, making the score 4-1.
The Owls couldn’t capitalize on threats in the fourth and fifth innings as they twice put two runners on base with two outs. In the fourth, Sean McClurken grounded sharply to third base to end the rally, and in the fifth inning Ronnie Freeman flew out to right field.
Craft made the game close in the ninth inning when he lined a two-out, two-run, homer over the left field fence against Stetson closer Robbie Powell to cut the Hatters lead to one run. Ray Anderson ended the game by sharply lining out to left field as Powell picked up his sixth save of the year.
Kurt Schluter (6-0), whose start was pushed back a day after being hit with a line drive in his last start, shut down the Owls over six innings as he allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts.
The Owls will conclude their four-game road trip on Tuesday evening when they face UAB in Birmingham, Ala. First-pitch between Kennesaw State and the Blazers is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT.
