Box Score (XML) | Box Score (.PDF) | Mike Sansing: A Journey To Remember
 
Kennesaw, Ga. – Travis Bergen recorded a new career-high 12 strikeouts on Saturday (March 28) afternoon, but the effort was not enough as the Owls fell short to USC Upstate at Stillwell Stadium, 6-5. The Kennesaw State baseball team dropped its first Atlantic Sun Conference game of the season, as the Owls fell to 13-13 overall. The Spartans improved to 9-19 overall and 1-1 in the A-Sun.

Bergen –who made his seventh start of the season for KSU—was strong from the start, retiring his first eight batters—which included a staggering seven strikeouts to begin the game. The left-handed pitcher from McDonough, Georgia, forced four 1-2-3 innings, allowing just three hits in seven innings of work on the mound.

With Bergen rolling on the bump, the Owls' offense –which entered the weekend batting .270—jumped out in front early, scoring the game's first run for the second consecutive time this weekend. KSU plated the first run in the bottom half of the third frame, coming off the bat of junior Kal Simmons.

His two-out RBI single pushed freshman Grant Williams, who finished the game 1-for-2 with a pair of runs, across home plate to give the Owls an early 1-0 lead. It was Simmons' 21st RBI of the season, which leads the Owls. On the season, Simmons is batting .308 with a team-high 32 hits and seven home runs.

After Bergen tossed a scoreless fourth inning, Kennesaw State extended its lead in the bottom half of the frame. Brennan Morgan led off the inning with a double to right field and eventually crossed home plate when Taylor Allum, who finished the game 1-for-3 with run scored, hit a sacrifice fly ball to double KSU's lead to 2-0.

The Owls were able to extend their lead to 5-0 with a three-run sixth inning, giving them their largest lead of the game. KSU brought eight batters to the plate, recording three runs on three hits in the frame. The Owls' first four batters reached base, including two singles and a pair of walks. Corey Greeson's fielder's choice brought home two with aggressive base running by Allum and Williams.

Trailing by five, USC Upstate scored six runs over the final two frames to earn its first win in conference play this season. The Spartans totaled seven hits in the eighth and ninth innings to help earn the victory.

Kennesaw State and USC Upstate will meet for the rubber game on Sunday (March 29) at Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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.