By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - A three-run triple by Aaron Dobbs and a two-run double by Andy Chriscaden proved to be the difference as the Kennesaw State baseball team defeated Jacksonville, 5-3, to move into second place in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
"I think the fact that we were able to come back for the second night in a row really says a lot about this team," said KSU head coach Mike Sansing. "That should really instill a lot of confidence in the guys as we move forward."
The Owls (32-22, 18-10) trailed, 3-0, entering the bottom of the seventh inning before the offense finally got on track. With two men out, consecutive singles by Chris Wages, Will Howard and Sean McClurken set the stage for Dobbs. The junior from Warner Robbins came up big, turning on a 3-1 offering from JU starter Tony Mollica and send a blast all the way to the wall in right center. All three runners would score, with Dobbs motoring into third head-first on a game-tying triple.
Jacksonville (33-20, 18-11) would bring in reliever Sean Green (3-2) and intentionally walk Ronnie Freeman to get to Chriscaden. The strategy would not pay off for the Dolphins. "It was a 2-0 count and I was just trying to get something I could hit," said Chriscaden. "I think he hung a slider and I was able to make good contact."
Good contact would result in a shot off the base of the Bailey Building in left. Dobbs easily scored, and while the throw to the plate beat Freeman, a tremendous hook slide allowed the sophomore to avoid the tag and touch home plate to put the Owls ahead, 5-3.
That would prove to be enough as Jeff Brown (2-0) worked two innings of relief to get the win. J.B. Johnson would retire the side in the ninth to pick up his ninth save, as the Owls came out on top by two runs.
Steven Janis worked six solid innings for the Owls on the mound to start the game, allowing just six hits while walking one and striking out six. "Janis got his second start and really had a quality outing," said coach Sansing. "Jeff and J.B. did really well also. Our pitching really had a bounce back game."
JU starter Tony Mollica would not factor in the decision, giving up two run in 6.2 innings of work.
The win moves KSU one-half game ahead of Jacksonville in the A-Sun standings. A win tomorrow would clinch the No. 2 seed for the Owls in next week's A-Sun Championship, while a loss would put the Owls in the No. 3 slot.
The series between the two teams wraps up tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium. Saturday is also Senior Day at KSU, as the Owls will honor Jeff Brown, Bryan Blough, Jordan Dean, Drew Fowlkes, J.B. Johnson, Sean McClurken, and Bucky Smith
