By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
DeLAND, Fla. – A pair of Kennesaw State errors in the bottom of the seventh inning led to four unearned runs as the No. 25-ranked Stetson Hatters overcame a 3-2 deficit to defeat the Owls, 6-3, on Friday night at Melching Field.
Kennesaw State (19-13, 8-4 A-Sun) overcame a two-run, first-inning deficit as they chipped back with solo runs in the second, sixth and seventh innings before things fell apart in the bottom of the seventh.
Josh Carr (3-3) pitched an excellent game as he settled down after a shaky first inning to hold the Hatters scoreless over the next five innings. Carr allowed four hits, including a two-run home run by Nick Rickles in the first inning, but recovered to cruise along until the sixth, when he pitched out of a bases loaded jam as the Owls fought back to tie the game.
Carr pitched out of the jam after he walked Sean Emory and Ryan Lashley followed with a single to left field. After a sacrifice bunt by Spencer Theisan, Carr then struck out Kyle Zach looking and then hit Simpson to load the bases. Carr then got Stetson’s leading hitter, Robert Crews to fly out to Hart at shortstop to keep the game tied.
The Owls knotted the game in the top of the sixth inning when Ronnie Freeman worked out a walk, Andy Chriscaden followed with a base hit to right field and Peyton Hart grounded a shot past a diving third baseman scoring Freeman. In the top of the seventh inning, Kennesaw State took the lead when Jordan Craft, who doubled down the left field line, scored on a passed ball with two outs.
Stetson (23-7, 10-3 A-Sun) took advantage of a pair of Chriscaden errors to take the lead. With one out, Rickles ended up at second base when he grounded a ball sharply off Chriscaden’s glove and into right field. Ben Carhart followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game and the Hatters took the lead when Theisen singled up the middle off Alan Busenitz.
J.B. Johnson entered with the bases loaded and two outs and appeared to have induced an inning ending ground out to second base. However, Sean McClurken, who made a good play on a high-chopper, had his throw dropped by Chriscaden, scoring two runs and giving the Hatters a three-run lead.
The Owls threatened in the top of the ninth inning when Ray Anderson began a two-out rally with an infield hit to third base. Craft walked on a 3-2 pitch, but Robbie Powell got his fifth save when he struck out McClurken looking.
Ethan Herron got the Owls on the board in the second inning with a one out line drive single to center field. The hit scored Chriscaden, who led off the second inning with a double to left field. Chriscaden, who had his 13-game hitting streak snapped earlier in the week, was the only Kennesaw State with two hits.
Stetson starter Austin Perez pitched just five innings as the Owls put pressure on the freshman left-hander, forcing him throw 82 pitches in his first collegiate start. Perez had retired eight in a row before giving way to Jake Boyd (3-0) in the top of the sixth inning.
The Owls and Hatters continue their three-game series from Melching Field on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats.
