By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball team got its first win of its 2012 season on Sunday afternoon with a 6-3 victory over Virginia Tech at Stillwell Stadium.
Riding behind a dominant pitching performance from the Owls bullpen, the squad’s relievers tossed 4.1 innings, allowing only one run to go along with four strikeouts.
Alan Busenitz opened the game on the mound for the Black and Gold pitching 4.2 innings and only surrendering two runs on five hits. The senior also struck out four in his first start of the season.
Virginia Tech scored the games first run as Ronnie Shaban opened the inning with a double down the right field line. After moving to third on a slow roller to first, Shaban scored on an RBI infield single by Sean Keselica.
The Owls struck right back in the bottom of the fourth after
Will Howard singled through the right side hole to move
Andy Chriscaden to third. Howard then stole second base, forcing a throw from the catcher that landed in centerfield, allowing Chriscaden to jog home.
Advancing to third on the error, Howard eventually scored on a similar play as
Max Pentecost stole second after earning a walk. An error on the throw down by the shortstop Johnny Morales allowed Howard to score and gave the Owls a 2-0 lead.
The Hokies countered with another run in the top of the fifth inning after Jake Atwell, who was hit by a pitch, reached base and scored on Shaban’s second double of the game.
Head Coach
Mike Sansing then went to the bullpen and called on
Justin McCalvin who got the Owls out of the inning. In the top of the fifth inning, freshman
Jacob Bruce recorded one of his three hits on a single to right field. Moved over to third on an
Andy Almonte grounder, Bruce scored on the next hit by
Aaron Dobbs. On the ensuing pitch, Dobbs stole third and then came home off the bat of
Ronnie Freeman to give the Owls a 4-2 advantage.
The Black and Gold added two more runs in the seventh on two hits and two errors by the Hokies to take a 6-2 lead. Surrendering one run in the seventh inning,
James Connell came in with bases loaded and got the Owls out of the jam. Returning to the game in the ninth inning, Connell struck out two batters before getting Tyler Horan to fly out to center and give the Owls their first win in 2012.
McCalvin recorded his first win of the season on 1.1 innings pitched, while Connell was credited with the save. Offensive leaders for the Owls was Bruce, who went 3-3 and one run scored in his first ever-collegiate game, and Dobbs who scored two runs to go along with one hit.
The Owls will return to action on Wednesday Feb. 22 when the team travels to Montgomery, Ala., to face Alabama State. From there the Owl will head to Tennessee to open a three-game series against Memphis, Feb. 24-26.
