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CULLOWHEE, N.C. – For the first time in over a month the Kennesaw State baseball team didn't come up in the win column, falling on the road at Southern Conference leader Western Carolina, 8-6.
 
The Owls held the nation's longest win streak at 16 games, which is tied for the longest at any point this season in the nation. KSU now heads into the final weekend of the 2014 regular season with an impressive 30-21 overall record, the second consecutive 30-win season for head coach Mike Sansing and sixth since the Owls joined the NCAA Division I ranks.
 
After what was a scoreless first three innings of action thanks in large part to KSU starting pitcher Chris Erwin, Brennan Morgan snapped the scoreless spell with an RBI walk in the top of the fourth, scoring Jacob Bruce for a 1-0 KSU lead.
 
A Bo Way sacrifice fly to left field added one more in the top of the fifth followed by a Morgan single to left, bringing home Bruce once again along with Max Pentecost who came across the plate on a WCU (34-16) error to put the Owls up 4-0.

The Catamounts managed their first run in the home half as an RBI single cut the lead down to three for the visitors.
 
But the Owls got the run back and then some, Way laying down the bunt that wreaked havoc on the WCU infield, bringing home the runner from second in Pentecost. Morgan then shot a sacrifice fly to the left side to score Way, sending the KSU lead up to 6-1.
 
WCU then took control in the bottom of the seven, scoring seven runs on just one hit and five walks along with a pair of hit batters, putting the Catamounts on top for good following the big inning, 8-6.
 
The Owls went down in order in the final two innings, falling for the first time since April 5 and splitting the season series between KSU and WCU.
 
Erwin took the no-decision from the hill after five strong innings of work in which he allowed just four hits and a run with five strikeouts. Mason Ward went the final 1.2 innings, tossing hitless ball for the Owls.
 
At the plate, Kal Simmons and Bruce each had two-hit days while Morgan drove in three runs. Pentecost did keep the hit streak alive, picking up a single to make it 32 straight for the catcher.
 
KSU also rallied behind three sacrifice hits during the outing.
 
Thursday's series opener against Atlantic Sun Conference foe North Florida will take place this Thursday, May 15, with a 6 p.m. ET start time at Stillwell Stadium.

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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