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Jacksonville, Ala. – The Kennesaw State baseball team defeated Jacksonville State University, 14-8, on Friday (Feb. 20) evening to take game one of the three-game weekend series. The Owls' offense warmed up early and often on a cold, chilly night at Rudy Abbott Field to hand the Gamecocks their first loss of the season.

The Owls (4-1) improved to a perfect 4-0 when scoring the first run of the game after plating two runs in the top of the second inning. KSU also improved to 4-0 when taking a lead into the seventh inning of a game this season.

Kennesaw State totaled season highs of 14 runs and 18 hits in the game, as eight of nine starting KSU batters recorded at least one hit. The Owls, who entered the game fifth in the nation with six home runs, again showcase their firepower at the dish, recording six extra base hits –including a home run by Kal Simmons and two extra base hits from Jeremy Howell.

Sophomore left-hander Mason Ward (1-0) was the beneficiary of the Owls' offensive explosion as he worked 3.0 innings, scattered three hits, allowed two earn runs, and struck out four. The appearance marked his first of the 2015 season and his 11th of his career.

After a scoreless first, the Kennesaw State's bats erupted for 12 runs throughout the following five innings and never looked back. Howell, who hails from Dallas, Georgia, jumpstarted the offense with a base-clearing triple to left center in the top of the second inning to give Kennesaw State an early 2-0 lead. Howell fell a home run shy of hitting for the cycle, finishing the day 3-for-5 with three RBI.

The Owls continued their attack at the plate, scoring two more runs in the third and fourth innings, added a run in the fifth and capped the scoring with a five-run sixth inning in which sent nine batters to the plate. Kennesaw State added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to secure the victory. In all, the Owls scored at least one run in six of the nine innings on the day.

During the five-run sixth inning, Simmons –who hit his second homer of the season—, Taylor Allum and Alex Liquori produced runs. Allum, a redshirt-freshman from Grayson, Georgia, hit a two-run single to left field, bringing home Liquori and Colin Bennett. 

The Owls' big offensive day came at the expense of three Gamecocks pitchers, including starting Zachary Fowler (1-1), who surrendered nine hits, seven earned runs, walked two batters and struck out five in 4.2 innings pitched.

Kennesaw State will return to the ballpark for a rescheduled doubleheader with the Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon. With impending weather surrounding the area, KSU and Jacksonville State will play two games beginning at 1 p.m. ET to wrap up the series.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the full 29-game home schedule at $39 per ticket. Single-game tickets are also available at $6 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 3-12). Group tickets for 10 or more people are available for advanced purchase, excluding the Georgia (Feb. 17), Georgia Tech (Mar. 17) and Georgia Southern (Mar. 24) games when individual tickets will be $10 for adults and $6 for youth. To order season tickets click here, or contact the KSU Athletic Ticket Office at 470-578-OWLS (6957).
 
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