KENNESAW STATE VS JACKSONVILLE
GAMES 35-37 | APRIL 12-14
KENNESAW, Ga. | STILLWELL STADIUM (1,200)
GAME NOTES |
LIVE VIDEO |
LIVE STATS |
LIVE AUDIO |
TICKETS
THE SERIES:
The Kennesaw State baseball team jumps back into Atlantic Sun Conference action this weekend, April 12-14, for a three-game series against the Dolphins of Jacksonville University at Stillwell Stadium.
KSU is looking to get back into its winning ways, heading into the series at 18-16 overall and 7-5 in the league, while Jacksonville arrives at 11-22 on the year and 4-5 in the A-Sun.
Friday’s 6 p.m. ET contest will feature a Master’s celebration sponsored by Dogwood Country Club with free rounds of golf being given away throughout the game and a closest to the pin challenge beforehand.
On Saturday, the KSU baseball team, staff and fans will be shaving their heads following the 2 p.m. ET game to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and on Sunday, fans can enjoy Sundae Funday with mini helmet sundaes. Sunday will also be a Baseball Bingo day for the 1 p.m. ET start with kids invited to run the bases after the conclusion of the game. The men's and women's track and field seniors will be honored prior to Sunday's game as well.
THE COVERAGE
VIDEO: A-Sun TV will have the coverage of Saturday’s game starting at first pitch.
AUDIO: Play-by-play will be available from KSUOwls.com with Nathan McCreary narrating the action from Stillwell Stadium.
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com at the start of the game.
THE OPPONENT
Jacksonville arrives under .500 in the A-Sun and has lost four out of its last six A-Sun contests. The Dolphins have struggled to get the offense going this season, holding a team batting average of .257
with 262 total strikeouts, the second most in the conference.
Friday night’s probable starter Chris Anderson comes in with a 2.11 ERA and a 5-2 record, holding batters to a .209 average with 75 strikeouts.
THE SERIES
The Owls lead the all-time series over Jacksonville, 13-8, and have won the last three out of five against the Dolphins.
KSU won the regular season series, 2-1, over Jacksonville as well in the 2012 season.
THE ROTATION
FRIDAY
Stephen Janas (4-0, 0.51 ERA) vs. Chris Anderson (5-2, 2.11 ERA)
SATURDAY
Travis Dean (3-5, 3.80 ERA) vs. Alex McCrae (2-3, 3.96 ERA)
SUNDAY
Kevin Kyle (5-3, 2.44 ERA) vs. TBA
LAST OUTING
Despite a hot start against one of the top hitting teams in the nation, the Kennesaw State baseball team couldn’t hold off Georgia State, taking a 12-5 loss in midweek action to the cross-town rival.
KSU did put up 10 hits during the outing, two each from
Max Pentecost (Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow HS) and designated hitter
Ryan Raper (Powder Springs, Ga./Hillgrove HS) with Pentecost earning a double as well. The senior Hart earned a pair of RBI while
Andy Almonte (Moca, Puerto Rico/Gordon College) and
Jacob Bruce (Woodstock, Ga./Woodstock HS) each scored two runs.
On the hill, starter
Nathan Harsh (Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick HS) lasted five innings giving up five runs on eight hits, taking the no decision.
Jordan Hillyer (Dacula, Ga./Hebron Christian HS) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the season despite giving up just two hits in two innings of work and striking out four.
NEXT UP
The Owls will take on Georgia State in the rematch following the series with Jacksonville. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. ET in Stillwell Stadium.
NEWS AND NOTES
Janas on the Mound
Stephen Janas (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS) still holds the A-Sun’s lead in terms of ERA with a 0.51 mark. The ERA is also the second best in the nation so far this year as Janas has only given up a pair of earned runs in 35.1 innings pitched.
The Offensive Way
Bo Way (Brunswick, Ga./Glynn Academy) continues to lead the KSU offense, as he has done all season, holding a .323 batting average with 43 hits, eight for extra bases, and a .397 on base percentage.
Hart in the A-Sun
Senior Payton Hart (Sandy Cross, Ga./Franklin County HS) is now hitting .400 in Atlantic Sun Conference games alone this year, putting up 20 hits in 50 at bats with a pair of doubles and six RBI.
Small Ball
The Owls have played small ball well so far this season, laying down 32 sacrifice bunts, among the most in the A-Sun, with 39 stolen bases.
Almonte’s Hot Bat
Senior
Andy Almonte is currently enjoying a 13-game hit streak and is now hitting .288 on the season for head coach
Mike Sansing.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news follow the team on Twitter
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
