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Kennesaw, Ga. -- The Kennesaw State baseball team lost to visiting University of Connecticut Friday (Feb. 27) evening, 5-3, at Stillwell Stadium in non-conference action. Kal Simmons and Corey Greeson each recorded solo home runs, while Chris Erwin finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate in the losing effort.

The Owls (5-3) dropped game one of the three-game weekend series to the Huskies (3-4) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

KSU, who entered the game tied for ninth in the nation with 1.29 home runs per game, totaled two homers in the game to give the Owls 11 on the season. In fact, the Owls have now hit a home run in six consecutive games –totaling nine of their 11 on the season during the stretch.

Simmons' home run in the bottom half of the inning tied the game at 1-1 after the Huskies jumped out early with a run in the top of the first. The home run marked his third on the season, which currently leads the Atlantic Sun. On the year, Simmons is batting .364 (12-for-33) with three home runs and nine RBI in eight games.

However, UCONN scored the next three runs over to take its largest lead of the game into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Owls, however, took a bite out of the lead with their own run in the bottom half of the inning.

Trailing 4-1, KSU's Greeson pinched hit with two outs and sent a fastball over the right field wall to cut the deficit in half. It marked the second home run of the season for the Calhoun, Georgia native. The Walters State CC transfer has five RBI and two home runs in five games played this season.

After surrendering another Husky run in the top of the eighth, the Owls once again responded in the bottom half of the inning to pull closer. Freshman Grant Williams, who is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, singled to center field to drive in Erwin from third base. But, the Owls stranded two and could not close the gap.

Jordan Hillyer started on the mound for Kennesaw State, allowing two earned runs and struck out nine UCONN batters in 5.2 innings of work. Cole McArthur and Mason Ward relieved Hillyer, allowing four hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings of work.

The Owls will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, taking on the Huskies in the second game of the weekend. First pitch is scheduled at 2 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium.

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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