By: KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. – A day after Florida Gulf Coast scored 20 runs, Bryan Blough came up with one of Kennesaw State’s best pitching performances of the season as he shutout the Eagles on six hits in a, 4-0, Owls win on Saturday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium.
The right-hander picked up his second win of the season in, what is to date, one of the biggest games of the year for the Owls. With its offense in high-gear, Florida Gulf Coast (18-17, 9-8 A-Sun) was befuddled by Blough who had each of his three pitches working to perfection as he recorded the Black and Gold's first complete game shutout of the year.
“I had all of my pitches working well today,” said Blough after his first complete game. “I didn’t have a good bullpen, but once I got on the mound and made some adjustments I felt great.”
Blough (2-3) retired the side in order in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings and was in control the entire game. He only allowed one runner past second base, Javi Sujo, who doubled in the second inning and moved to third on a ground out and was left stranded after Blough got Sean Dwyer to softly fly out to left field to end the inning.
“After what they [FGCU] did yesterday, scoring 20 runs, I was just going to go out and be myself and not try to make too many perfect pitches,” added Blough.
The senior may not have tried to make a lot of perfect pitches, but he did as he struck out eight batters and walked just one along the way, allowing three doubles and three singles. Blough held the Eagles hitless in four of the final six frames and only in the ninth did he allow two hits in an inning.
“Bryan kept getting stronger as the game went along,” said head coach Mike Sansing. “He worked both sides of the plate well and his breaking stuff was very good. He became more effective and gained more confidence as the game went along. He pitched great.”
After retiring the first two batters in the ninth inning, FGCU rallied when Mike Reeves singled through the left side and Sujo singled hard to center field. With J.B. Johnson throwing in the Owls bullpen, Sansing stayed with Blough who got Jake Foley to ground to shortstop, forcing Sujo at second base.
“I never felt like I couldn’t get out of the jam,” said Blough on the ninth inning. “I knew I was getting stronger over the final three innings, and I had enough to get the final out, but for a second I thought Coach Sansing may pull me. I’m glad he didn’t.”
“I got enough confidence from Bryan over the first eight innings to let him finish,’ commented Sansing. “He was still throwing well in the ninth and had some sink on his fastball and I felt like it was his day.”
The Owls (21-17, 9-7 A-Sun) scored three runs in the fifth inning off FGCU starter Jacob Barnes, who himself pitched a very good game. After retiring the first two batters in the inning, Barnes, who struck out seven batters in four and two-third innings, walked three straight hitters before bringing home Bucky Smith on a wild pitch for a 1-0 Kennesaw State lead.
Aaron Dobbs (1-for-3) then laced a triple to the right-center field gap, scoring Chris Wages and Sean McClurken. Dobbs drove in the final run of the game for the Owls with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.
The rubber game of the three-game series is set for 1:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium. The game can be followed via live stats. The game is Sundae Funday with the first 100 fans receiving a Kennesaw State mini-helmet which can be filled with ice cream and toppings.
