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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY. – The Kennesaw State baseball team defeated Northern Kentucky Saturday (April 11) afternoon, 10-1, taking game two of the Atlantic Sun Conference weekend series at Bill Aker Baseball Complex. KSU's offense exploded for 10 runs on 15 hits and was backed by a masterful pitching performance from Travis Bergen to secure the weekend series.

With the win, KSU improved to 9-1 all-time against Northern Kentucky and moved to 18-16 overall. The Owls evened their record to 4-4 in A-Sun play. Meanwhile, with the loss, the Norse dropped to 10-20 overall and 0-5 in conference action.

Kennesaw State saw six players record two or more hits in the game, with Jeremy Howell (3-for-3, one RBI), Griffin Helms (2-for-4, two RBI), Colin Bennett (2-for-5, two RBI), Chris McGowan (2-for-5, two RBI) and Brennan Morgan (2-for-3, two RBI) leading the attack at the plate. It was the 16th time this season the Owls have compiled at least 10 hits in a game, and the seventh time scoring 10 or more runs.

The Owls pounced on the scoreboard right from the beginning, placing two runs in the first inning to grab an early lead. Kal Simmons led things off with a double to left field, recording his 14th extra base hit of the season to put the Norse on the ropes. Morgan, who was recently placed on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List, came up clutch with two outs, hitting a two-run homer over the left field wall to hand KSU a 2-0 advantage.

Kennesaw State's power remained persistent in the top of the second, as Bennett hit a leadoff solo home run to give the Owls a 3-0 edge. It totaled Bennett's fourth home run of the season and first since March 6 against UAB.

The Owls' offensive power carried over to Bergen, who proved to be overpowering in a four-hit, complete game, shutout. Bergen (4-3) proved to be beneficiary of the KSU offensive attack and shut the door on the Norse to win his fourth decision, allowing one run on four hits while striking out nine batters.

"I thought Bergen threw extremely well for us today. He set the tone for us and we were able to get a couple of runs early," head coach Mike Sansing said. "I feel confident with Bergen on the mound and he was great today."

Bergen was strong from the start, retiring 12 of his first 13 batters while striking out six through the first four innings of play, keeping Northern Kentucky off the board.

NKU, however, got one run back in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull within 3-1. After the Owls recorded back-to-back outs, the Norse got the frame started with an infield single before Caleb Lonkard knocked the runner home with an RBI double down the right field line.

But, it would be the closest the Norse would get in the game, as KSU's offense exploded for seven runs on 12 hits over the final three innings to secure Saturday's contest.  The Owls brought 20 batters to the plate, totaling six extra base hits and six singles to push their lead to 10-1 in those three innings.  

"I thought we played defensively and we were able to capitalize with a strong offensive showing," Sansing said.

Bergen was close to perfect on the day, allowing just one hit over the final four innings to toss his second complete game of the year. The junior left-hander threw 112 pitches (76 strikes) to toss eight of the nine frames scoreless to earn the win.

"I felt really good today. I wanted to throw strikes and allow the offense to get into the dugout as quickly as possible," Bergen said. "I wanted to pound the zone early and I felt like I did a great job of that today."

Kennesaw State will conclude its series with Northern Kentucky Sunday (April 12) afternoon. The Owls will go for the weekend series sweep over the Norse in A-Sun action at Bill Aker Baseball Complex, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. ET.

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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