KENNESAW STATE AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE
GAMES 44-46 |
APRIL 26-28
JOHNSON CITY, TENN. |
THOMAS STADIUM (1,000)
GAME NOTES |
LIVE STATS |
LIVE VIDEO
THE SERIES:
The Kennesaw State baseball team remains on the road this weekend, capping off a two-week, eight-game, three-state road trip at East Tennessee State starting on Friday, April 26 in Atlantic Sun Conference action.
The Owls arrive at .500 in the conference standings with a 9-9 record and are 21-22 overall after suffering a 2-0 loss at Western Carolina earlier in the week. The Buccaneers are now 22-16 overall and 11-7 in the A-Sun entering the three-games against KSU.
THE COVERAGE
LIVE VIDEO: Play-by-play will be available from A-SunTV for all three games starting at first pitch.
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from ETSUBucs.com at the start of each game.
THE OPPONENT
East Tennessee State currently sits at third in the A-Sun but has struggled as of late, dropping its last three outings including losing a three-game series to Stetson.
The Bucs lead the conference in fewest strikeouts, falling victim just 199 times while stealing a league-best 56 bases. Also, having committed just 41 errors this season, ETSU holds the top fielding percentage in the A-Sun at .973.
THE SERIES
The Owls and the Buccaneers have been fairly even in the all-time series with KSU holding a one-game edge at 8-7. In three out of the last five meetings, however, the two teams have played to just a one-run ballgame.
LAST OUTING
Even with a career day from Kennesaw state baseball starting pitcher
Nathan Harsh, the Owls couldn’t find their offensive rhythm on the other end, falling to Western Carolina 2-0 in the first of two meetings between the two schools this season.
Harsh (Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick HS) lasted a career-best 6.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits and sitting down eight Catamount batters, also a career mark for the sophomore, lowering his ERA to just 2.87.
KSU played a clean game in the field behind the right-hander as well, turning a season-high five double plays while committing no errors against Southern Conference opponent WCU.
The Owls, now 21-22, managed just four hits during the ballgame, one each from
Kal Simmons (Nashville, Ga./Berrien HS),
Bo Way (Brunswick, Ga./Glynn Academy),
Max Pentecost (Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow HS) and
Alex Liquori (Brooks, Ga./Whitewater HS), with Simmons, Way and Pentecost each belting doubles.
On the bases, Liquori stole his ninth base of the year during the outing while
Peyton Hart (Sandy Cross, Ga./Franklin County HS) laid down his 11
th sacrifice bunt of the season.
NEXT UP
Following the trip to ETSU, the Owls will face off again against Western Carolina once again on Wednesday, May 1 at 5 p.m. ET in Stillwell Stadium. The game vs. the Catamounts will be the only one for KSU next week.
NEWS AND NOTES
Janas Named Pitcher of the Week
Stephen Janas continues his reign atop the A-Sun in terms of ERA with a 0.70 mark. The average also puts the junior at No. 2 nationally and garnered him A-Sun Pitcher of the Week accolades after his complete-game, five-hitter over North Florida in his last outing.
Battle for the Batting Title
The battle continues for the top batting average on the roster for the Owls,
Bo Way has retaken the lead with his .310 mark with
Jacob Bruce behind at .309.
Liquori in Left
Alex Liquori has proven to be one of the most well-rounded players in the KSU lineup, holding a share of the team lead in homers with two to go with his 17 RBI, nine stolen bases and .974 fielding percentage from left field.
Playing Small Ball
KSU ranks in the top 25 nationally in sacrifice bunts with 44. The Owls have also knocked 10 sacrifice flies on the year as well and 44 stolen bases.
Pentecost’s Hit-Streak
Catcher
Max Pentecost is currently riding a five-game hit streak after belting a double during the team’s loss at Western Carolina.
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.
