By: KSU Sports Information
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ATLANTA, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball team belted three homeruns in Friday night’s opening series, 11-5 win over in-state rival Georgia State at the GSU Baseball Complex.
The Owls used the long ball early to jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning. After a walk was issued to Andy Chriscaden, five-hole batter Chris McGowan lifted his second homerun of the season over the straight away centerfield wall to put KSU up by two. Two batters later, centerfielder Will Howard followed suite and hit his second homerun of the season over the right field wall.
In the Panthers half of the second, GSU tied the game after Brandon Williams hit the games third homerun to bring the score, 3-1. Jonathan Kolowich reached on a wild pitch strike out, and advanced to second on a Mark Hogan single. Kolowich would score on a sacrifice fly later in the inning and Hogan would come home on a double steal to knot up the score, 3-3.
The Black and Gold would bounce back and get a run in the third inning as Aaron Dobbs led off the frame with a double and scored on a Peyton Hart single to give the advantage back to KSU. Ronnie Freeman and Chriscaden would reach on back-to-back singles, but McGowan would be the third strikeout of the game to end the Owls rally.
Georgia State would again tie the game in their half of the inning as Cody Adams opened the bottom of the third with a double after an 11-pitch at-bat versus Owls starter Josh Carr. Advancing to third on a failed pick-off attempt, Adams would score two batters later on a fielder’s choice.
Freshman Jacob Bruce would give the Owls the lead back in the fourth with his first collegiate homerun that would count for his second and third RBI of the season and put KSU up 6-4.
The squad would get three consecutive hits from their four-five-six batters to load the bases for freshman Max Pentecost in the top of the fifth. Pentecost would work a walk out of relief pitcher Jerry Stuckey and Bruce would follow with his fourth RBI of the game after roping a two RBI single into right field. Dobbs would further bust the game wide open with a two RBI single of his own for an 11-4 KSU lead.
GSU would get one more run in the seventh, but it wouldn’t be enough as Carr picked up his third consecutive Friday night win. The offensive leaders for the Owls were Bruce, McGowan and Dobbs, as all three had two hits, while Bruce had four RBI and the others collected two apiece.
The Owls will return home to Stillwell Stadium on Saturday for the first home game since opening weekend. First pitch against Georgia State is slated for 2:00 p.m. E.T.
Promotions
The Kennesaw State Athletic Department is sponsoring a canned food drive to support the tornado victims of Paulding County. Any fan that brings two canned food items will receive free admission to either home game this weekend. On Saturday, the first 250 fans will receive a KSU Owls seat cushion and Sunday’s game will be Sundae Fun-day, as all kids, 8th grade and under will receive a free ice cream sundae.
Follow The Owls
Live audio of the weekend home games can be heard on KSU All Access, as Nathan McCreary and Ben Poplin will be describing all the action. Live stats will be available at KSUOwls.com. For updates throughout the weekend, you can follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlsBaseball.
Probable Starters
Jake Dyer Sr. RHP (1-1, 6.06 ERA) Steve Janas So. - RHP (0-1, 4.30 ERA)
Ben Marshall Sr. RHP (1-1, 4.00 ERA) Kevin Kyle Jr. - LHP (0-1, 3.68 ERA)
