Box Score (XML) | Box Score (.PDF)
 
NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Kennesaw State baseball team dropped game one of the Atlantic Sun Conference weekend series to Lipscomb University Friday (April 24) night at Ken Dugan Field, 4-3, in 10 innings. With the loss, the Owls slipped to 22-20 overall and 6-6 in conference play while the Bisons improved to 26-13 overall and 6-4 in league play.

In a marquee pitching matchup between Kennesaw State's Jordan Hillyer and Lipscomb's Ian Martinez-McGraw, a crowd of 521 watched the two battle it out on the mound in the series opener. Martinez-McGraw and Hillyer entered the weekend second and third, respectively, in the A-Sun with ERA's of 2.18 and 2.35 in 10 starts each and proved to be worthy of those numbers in a hard-fought, toe-to-toe, clash in the center of the diamond.

Despite allowing a combined 15 hits, both Hillyer and Martinez-McGraw limited the opposing team's potent offenses in the game, not allowing more than a single run to cross home plate in one inning throughout their time on the mound.

Hillyer allowed seven hits and three runs over 7.0 strong innings on the bump, earning a no decision in his 11th start. The right-handed junior struck out 10 batters, three shy of his career high. It marked the third time this season Hillyer recorded at least 10 strikeouts in an outing.

On the other side of the mound was Bisons' Martinez-McGraw who tossed 6.1 innings to match Hillyer in the contest. The righthander allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out two, also earning a no decision.

In a back-and-fourth contest with each run proving critical, the two clubs totaled four lead changes and three ties. Nonetheless, despite strong pitching from the two starters, the game came down to extra
innings after neither team could score the go-ahead run over the final two frames deadlocked at 3-3.

The Owls tied the game in the seventh when Jeremy Howell, who finished the game with a run and an RBI, grounded into a fielder's choice with bases loaded to lock the game at 3-3. It marked the third time the Owls tied the game, but could never take the lead leaving 14 runners on base.

Lipscomb's Josh Lee pinch hit double into the right field center field gap in the 10th inning was the difference in the game, taking the fourth and final lead of the ballgame. Lee drove a 3-2 pitch into the gap and allowed Tyson Ashcraft to score from first for the walkoff winner.

Six Owls recorded at least one hit in the game, as Corey Greeson (2-for-5), Chris Erwin (2-for-5) and Alex Liquori (2-for-4) paced the offensive attack. Grant Williams finished his night 1-for-5 with an RBI and Chris McGowan continued his aggressive approach at the plate going 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Tony Dibrell and Will Lowman came out of the bullpen for KSU, tossing a combined 3.0 innings allowing one run on just two hits. Dibrell struck out his only two batters he faces in 2/3 innings of work, while Lowman was charged with the hard-fought loss.

Kennesaw State will turn around and take on the Bisons for game two of the weekend series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CST/3 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).

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.