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Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball team defeated visiting UAB on Friday (March 6) evening, taking game one of the weekend series by a 8-4 final score at Stillwell Stadium. The Owls (7-4) offense produced eight runs on 13 hits, which is the most hits the Owls have manufactured at home this season.
 
"You always want to win that first game of the series and get some momentum," head Coach Mike Sansing said.
 
Five KSU batters recorded at least two hits in a game, led by Chris Erwin's 3-for-4 effort at the plate. The Owls also got a combined 5-for-15 (.333), two home runs and six RBI by freshman Grant Williams, Kal Simmons and Colin Bennett to help Kennesaw State defeat the Blazers (8-3).
 
The Owls jumped out in front early and often, scoring the first six runs of the game to help earn their seventh victory of the season. KSU plated its first two runs of the game in the bottom half of the second frame, when sophomore Jeremy Howell single through the left side to bring home Chris McGowan for the game's first run. Williams, who finished the game 2-for-5 and a career-high two RBI, followed with an RBI single to double the Owls' lead at 2-0.
 
KSU entered the game outscoring its opponents by a dominating 12-4 margin in the second frame, and the Owls continued that trend with a pair of runs that set the tone of the game.  
 
Kennesaw State followed its offensive attack with two more runs in the bottom half of third inning, extending its lead to 4-0. Erwin –who went 7-for-12 (.583) last weekend against UCONN—, and finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate, led off the inning with a single to left field. After the Blazers recorded two outs, Bennett followed with his third home run of the season over the right field wall, plating a pair of Owls.
 
"We scored a lot of runs early with some home runs," Sansing said. "It was nice to see our guys aggressive at the plate."
Leading by four, KSU's aggressive bats continued in the fourth frame, as Simmons hit a two-out, two-run, home run over the right field wall to give the Owls a commanding 6-0 lead. It marked the Nashville, Georgia native's team-leading fourth home run of the season. In fact, with his home run, Simmons is currently tied at the top of the Atlantic Sun in that category.
 
"You feel like anyone can hit one out of the ballpark now," Sansing said. "It's nice to know that we have some guys that have some power."

Junior pitcher Jordan Hillyer (1-1) proved to be the beneficiary of the Owls' offensive explosion as he worked 6.0 innings, allowing only one hit and struck out seven. His strong performance on the mound gave him his first decision, and lowered his ERA to 2.41 in four appearances.
 
"I thought Hillyer did a great job of pitching. He fought hard and had a great outing," Sansing said.

Kennesaw State will return to the ballpark tomorrow at Stillwell Stadium, taking on the Blazers in the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Notes:
* The Owls improved to 7-0 when scoring the first run of the game.
* Kennesaw State hit two home runs during its 8-4 victory over UAB, marking the ninth game the Owls have hit at least one home run.
* KSU entered the game ranked eighth in the nation in total home runs and tied for fifth in the nation averaging 1.20 home runs per game.
* Colin Bennett returned to the lineup for the first time since, finishing his day 1-for-5 with a home run. He now has three home runs on the season, while averaging .394(13-for-33) at the plate.
* Kal Simmons knocked his team-leading fourth home run of the season tonight. He is batting .333 (15-for-45) at the plate, compiling four doubles and a team-leading 11 RBI.
* Jordan Hillyer earned his first victory of the season. The Dacula, Georgia native is now 1-1 on the season with a 2.41 ERA.
* Chris Erwin stayed hot at the plate tonight, going 3-for-4. The Grayson, Georgia native is 6-for-10 (.600) over his last two games.

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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