Game 1: Box Score (XML) | Box Score (.PDF)
Game 2: Box Score (XML) | Box Score (.PDF)

Rock Hill, S.C. – The Kennesaw State baseball program spilt a pair of games on Saturday (March 14) afternoon against Winthrop University. The Owls dropped the first game of the day, 2-0, before taking the second game of the twinbill over the Eagles by a 4-0 score at the Winthrop Ballpark.

The Owls' (9-7) Jordan Hillyer and Travis Bergen showcased their arms with strong performances on the day. The two totaled 17.0 innings of work and 20 strikeouts on the day, allowing two runs on 13 hits --marking the only two pitchers to appear for the Owls on the hill throughout the day.

"I thought both of our starters gave us a great chance to have a good day," head coach Mike Sansing said," "They are both tough competitors and we fought hard today."

Meanwhile, Justin Motley –who reached base safely in six of his seven trips to the plate—and Chris Erwin paced the Owls offensively. The two finished the day 8-for-15 (.533) with three RBI and one home run.

"Motley had a really good day offensively. He has been putting in some extra work and it paid off today," Sansing said.

GAME 1: Kennesaw State 0, Winthrop 2
Pitching was the story for game one of the scheduled twinbill, as Kennesaw State's Jordan Hillyer and Winthop's Sam Kmiec went the distance in a pitcher's duel. Hillyer (1-2), who entered the game with a 2.41 ERA in four starts, worked 8.0 strong innings, allowing two runs on nine hits. The junior tied his career high with nine strikeouts on the day.

"I thought Hillyer threw the ball extremely well today, Sansing said. "He controlled his pitches and was in command today."

On the other side of the mound, Kmiec matched Hillyer step for step throughout the game, tossing a four-hit shutout in 9.0 innings of work on the hill. Junior outfielder Justin Motley managed two of the Owls' four hits in the game, finishing the game 2-for-3.

Both pitchers showcased their resiliency on the mound, seemingly unhittable in a back-and-forth battle between the two. Hillyer –who made his fifth start of the season – faced adversity from the beginning, as the Eagles placed a man in scoring position in the first four innings of the game. But, the junior right-handed pitcher got out of each inning scoreless to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.

The Eagles broke the scoreless game with a single run in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Winthrop's first three batters reached base, including an RBI single by John Menken for the game's first run. The Eagles then scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning off the bat of Mark Lowrie to extend the Eagles' lead to 2-0.

The two runs proved to be enough for Kmiec, who proved to be the difference on the mound. The left-handed pitcher worked around a nine-inning error to secure the victory. 

GAME 2: Kennesaw State 4, Winthrop 0
Kennesaw State's strong starting pitching carried over to the second game, as Bergen tossed his best game of the season –a four-hit shutout to cap the evening game with a 4-0 win. The left-handed pitcher fanned 11 Eagles, setting a new career high to answer Winthrop's Sightler's four-hit shutout in game one.

"I thought Bergen's performance was very impressive," Sansing said. "He located his pitches well today. I thought he looked excellent, especially late in the game."

The Owls, unlike the first game, broke the scoreless game with a single run in the top of the second. Senior Chris McGowan led off the inning with a stand-up extra bagger before coming around home plate off an RBI double by sophomore Jeremy Howell, giving Kennesaw State an early 1-0 lead.

The Owl extended their lead with a three-run fifth inning. Chris Erwin –who entered the day leading the team with a .390 batting average –, and a team-best seven game hitting streak (11-for-23) with two doubles and seven RBI, hit a three-run homer over the right field wall to extend KSU's lead to 4-0. It was the sophomore's first collegiate home run, and he extend his hitting streak to eight games.

The lead proved to be enough for the junior left-hander, as Bergen (3-2) was beneficiary in the game, earning his third win of the season.

"After Erwin hit that home run in the fifth inning, we felt comfortable with Bergen out on the mound," Sansing said. "He is very athletic and he is a true two-way player."

McGowan finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, starting at first base for Kennesaw State in both games on the day. The senior also scored a run, helping KSU snap a three-game losing skid. In all, five Owls totaled at least one hit in the game, backing Bergen's performance on the bump.

The Owls will turn back around and play Winthrop Sunday (March 15) afternoon in a single game, wrapping up the three-game set.

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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