By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score I
Live Stats
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Junior
Ronnie Freeman recorded two hits and four RBI’s as he led the Kennesaw State baseball team to a 10-5 series-opening win over USC Upstate on Friday evening at Harley Park.
The Owls (29-20, 13-9 A-Sun) opened the game's scoring in the top of the first inning as
Aaron Dobbs wound up on second base to start the game after a USC Upstate error. Back-to-back sacrifices, which ended with a sacrifice fly by
Andy Almonte, scored Dobbs to make the score, 1-0.
USC Upstate (32-14, 15-6 A-Sun) countered in the bottom of the second inning as it got to KSU starter
Kevin Kyle for three runs on four hits to make the score, 3-1.
The Black and Gold took the lead right back in the top of the third as they started the inning off with three straight singles by
Jordan Craft,
Jacob Bruce and Dobbs. With the bases loaded,
Peyton Hart drew an RBI walk to get the Owls within one. After a fielder’s choice, this is the point of the game where Freeman made his mark as he smacked a two-RBI single to center to put KSU up 4-3.
Freeman wasn’t done as hit bat put the game out of reach in the top of the fifth inning by drilling a one-out, two-run homerun down the left field line.
Kyle recorded his first-ever win as an Owl as he did a good job of keeping the Spartan hitters off balance all evening. Kyle finished with a final line of seven innings pitched giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. He also struck out three and walked three in his outing.
Six different Owls recorded two-hit games in the contest as KSU outhit USC Upstate, 12-11. The loss marked only the fifth time this season that the Spartans were defeated at home.
Game two of the series is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday, as sophomore
Travis Dean (3-0, 2.38) will look to extend his winning streak to four straight starts. For updates throughout the game, you can follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlsBaseball.
