By: KSU Sports Information
Live Stats I
Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The three game winning streak for the Kennesaw State baseball team came to an end on Saturday as the Owls fell 5-0 to the Memphis Tigers in game two of a three game series at FedEx Park.
Kennesaw was shut out for the first time of the season as Tigers starter Dan Langfield pitched eight innings allowing only five hits, while recording 11 strikeouts. Junior Andy Almonte had one of the team’s five hits as the junior college transfer has now hit safely in five of his first six Division I games.
The Tigers scored the games first run as leadoff man Ethan Gross reached base on an error. Advancing to second on a failed pickoff attempt, Gross later came home on a double play. Memphis would add another run in the bottom of the third as Zach Willis reached on a leadoff double. Making it to third on a sacrifice bunt, Adam McClain grounded out to shortstop
Peyton Hart for the games first earned run.
Owls’ starter Steve Janas lasted 4.2 innings as Memphis struck for two more runs in the fifth inning. Extending their lead to 4-0, the bullpen would be forced to finish the game. Caden Furguson,
Kevin Kyle and
Andrew Austin combined to pitch 3.1 innings of relief, allowing only three hits and one earned run. Giving their offense and opportunity to get in the game, the Black and Gold could only muster two hits in the final three innings to fall 5-0.
KSU’s best scoring opportunity came in the eighth inning when
Ethan Herron reached base on a strike three, dropped ball by the catcher. After moving up to second on a passed ball, Almonte’s single up the middle put runners on the corners before Langfield regrouped and struck out two of the next three Owls batters to get out of trouble.
Kennesaw and Memphis will square off in the rubber match of the series on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. E.T. as senior Alan Buesnitz will take on the Tigers left handed pitcher Sam Moll.
