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TROY, Ala. – The Kennesaw State baseball team defeated non-conference foe Troy University Wednesday (April 8) evening, 3-2, earning its first win over the Trojans since 2007.  In the first meeting between the two teams since 2010 –and first of the home-and-home series in 2015—, the Owls backed a gutsy pitching performance by Chris Erwin with two RBI from Kal Simmons and a solo homer from Drew Davis in the winning effort.

With the win, KSU evened its record at 16-16 overall on the season while sinking the Trojans to 17-17. Kennesaw State, with the victory, earned their first road victory in the all-time series despite totaling just three runs on four hits.

"Chris Erwin threw extremely well tonight," head coach Mike Sansing said. "He went deep into the game, but his pitch count was down and had some quick innings. We were able to squeak one out tonight."

KSU earned the first two runs of the ballgame, placing a crooked number on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. The Owls –a team that draws 4.45 walks per game— drew three walks in the frame that led to a two-run RBI single through the left side off the bat of Simmons.

For Simmons, the two-run RBI single added to his team-leading totals of 29 RBI and 36 hits on the season. The Nashville, Georgia native finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBI and one walk.

The Trojans responded, putting up a pair runs in the bottom of the fourth. Like Kennesaw State did in the third, Troy worked the bases loaded and then brought home the first run off a sacrifice fly ball. With runners on the corner, Clay Holcomb's sacrifice squeeze bunt plated the game-tying run at 2-2.

The Owls responded, though, as Davis lifted a pitch over the wall in left center field to make it a 3-2 ballgame. Davis–who made his fourth start of the season— smashed a pitch over the wall in left center field to record his first career home run.

"Drew has some power and he got the pitch he wanted and knocked it out. It was a huge run that proved to be the difference maker," Sansing said.

The solo home run proved to be the difference maker in the midweek showdown, as Erwin proved to be too much on the hill. The left-handed pitcher from Grayson, Georgia needed just three runs from the Owls' lineup to secure his third win of the season.

Erwin (3-2) pitched a career-high 8.0 innings on the mound, scattering four hits for two earned runs in the solid performance. He struck out seven Trojans on the day and worked four 1-2-3 innings throughout the day.

"He located the ball well tonight and had good velocity throughout the game," Sansing said.

Will Lowman pitched a scoreless ninth to secure his second save of the season. In all, Erwin and Lowman allowed five hits and two runs, backing three runs the offense pushed across home plate.

"Lowman got the first two guys and then Troy got a hit. Davis game up big throwing out the runner at second and our defense played well tonight," Sansing said.

Kennesaw State will return to action with a three-game set on the road against Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The Owls and the Norse will resume Atlantic Sun play at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.

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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