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Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball program dropped a hard-fought, grind-it-out, 11-inning game to in-state rival Georgia Tech on Tuesday (March 17) evening, 7-6. The Owls (9-9) and Yellow Jackets (15-5) left it all on the field, as the two teams totaled three lead changes and two ties –marking the first extra-inning game of the season for KSU and third for Georgia Tech.
 
Justin Motley's diving play (CLICK HERE) set the tone for what was a drama-filled, action packed evening that lead to an 11-inning duel. The two teams' high intensity throughout the game built up for an exciting final four innings of play, which included two extra frames to determine the winner.
 
Tied at 2-2 heading to the bottom half of the sixth, the Owls received back-to-back RBI singles from freshman Grant Williams and junior shortstop Kal Simmons to give KSU a 4-2. Williams and Simmons finished a combined 3-for-8 with two runs and two RBI on the night.
 
Meanwhile, freshman AJ Moore –who made his third start of the season—had a strong showing in front of the Owl faithful. Moore (1-0) tossed 6.0 solid innings, scattering five hits and striking out three Georgia Tech batters while allowing three runs for his time on the mound.
 
Moore allowed two runs in the top of the first inning, but did not allow another run to cross home plate for the remainder of his time on the hill. The freshman righty from Dacula, Georgia allowed just two hits after the first inning, helping Kennesaw State pull ahead of the Yellow Jackets through six frames.
 
After the two teams traded runs in the top half of the seventh and bottom of the eighth, Georgia Tech plated a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to force extra innings. Down to their final out, GT's Kel Johnson singled to left field to tie the game at 5-5.
 
The Yellow Jackets finally broke the tie ballgame with a pair of runs in the top half of the 11th, giving them a 7-5 advantage with three outs remaining. But, KSU's resilient group forced a dramatic final three outs to push all 1,112 fans to the edge of their seats.
 
After the Yellow Jackets drew first blood by forcing a fly out to begin the bottom of the 11th, the Owls reeled off three consecutive hits to load the bases. Freshman Griffin Helms, a Norcross, Georgia native, followed by grounding out to second, which brought home Simmons –who singled earlier—home from third base.
 
Down one with one out, Kennesaw State could not capitalize as Ryan Zac (4-0) forced a ground out to end the game.
 
For the game, seven different players recorded at least one hit in the game. Williams, Simmons and Chris Erwin each had two hits to lead the Owls' offense on the night. Kennesaw State used four pitchers throughout the game, as Will Lowman, Logan Hutchinson and Chris Erwin relieved Moore from his duties after the sixth inning.

Kennesaw State will be back in action tomorrow evening, traveling to Cullowhee, North Carolina to play Western Carolina in its second midweek game. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. in the non-conference game between the two clubs.
 
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).
 
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.