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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Kennesaw State baseball team fought back from an early deficit, but the late rally fell short as Jacksonville State took a 9-8 win in 17 innings, the longest game played by the Owls since joining the NCAA Division I era.

The Owls, now 7-6 on the year after the three-game series, clawed back from a five-run lead to send the game into extra innings.

Jacksonville State jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first on six hits, the big play coming from a Tyler Gamble two RBI single.
 
The Owls would get a run back in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Chris McGowan that scored Bo Way.
 
Kennesaw State cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth when McGowan singled home catcher Max Pentecost.
 
The Gamecocks would score another run in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI single by Griff Gordon to push the lead to 6-2.
 
The Owls then added a pair of runs in the seventh on a Pentecost sacrifice fly and Motley RBI single to put the game within reach.
 
Kennesaw State went on to tie things up on a Jacob Bruce two RBI single in the bottom of the eight, both teams then going scoreless for the next four innings.
 
The score would remain tied until the top of the 12^th inning when Kal Simmons scored on a wild pitch followed by Motley providing his third RBI single of the day as the Owls took an 8-6 lead.
 
The Gamecocks would tie the game in the bottom of the twelfth on Gordon's two RBI single.
 
The score would remain tied until Bishops walk off single in the bottom of the 17^th, giving JSU the one-run win as well as the series, 2-1.  

The Owls had 16 hits in the game and were led by Motley and Colin Bennett who each picked up three from the box. Bruce, Motley and McGowan each had a pair of RBIs for the Owls

Eight different  pitchers appeared  on the mound for KSU during the extended outing with freshman Gabe Friese going 4.1 innings allowing just four hits while striking out  six.
 
Kennesaw State will return home and face Georgia State on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. ET.

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.

For more information on how to purchase tickets, please call the KSU ticket office at 770-423-6957, or by visiting KSUOwls.com/tickets.
 

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