By: KSU Sports Information
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Kennesaw State’s losing streak hit four games as Alabama-Birmingham defeated the Owls, 5-3, on Tuesday evening at Young Memorial Field.
The Owls (19-16) put together a pair of hits and two walks against reliever Mark McKinley with Aaron Dobbs walking to make the score, 5-3. The comeback ended when Ronnie Freeman grounded sharply to second base to end the game.
Sean Fream (1-3) gave the Owls another excellent effort, allowing two earned on five hits over five and two-third innings. The right-hander allowed solo runs in the second, fourth and sixth innings and kept KSU within striking distance.
However, the Owls offense couldn’t come up with the big hit once again as they failed to score over three runs for the fourth straight game. The Owls have averaged 2.5 runs during their four-game losing streak. Ray Anderson, Jordan Craft and Sean McClurken all had two hits as the Owls managed eight hits, but left nine runners on base.
Four Kennesaw State pitchers held UAB to just eight hits and four earned runs as Caden Ferguson, making his fifth appearance of the year, pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Fream. Steve Janas and J.B. Johnson combined to throw the final inning and one-third.
Andy Chriscaden drove in his 41st run of the year with a sacrifice fly to center field in the eighth inning while Dobbs drove in the Owls first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right field in the fifth. None of the three Kennesaw State runs scored on a hit.
The Blazers (19-13) were led by John Frost and Nick Crawford who each had two hits. Starter David Hayes (1-1) pitched a season-high seven and one-third innings and struck out a career-best five hitters while getting the first win of his UAB career.
The Owls will be back in action on Wednesday evening when they host Jacksonville State at 6:00 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats.
