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Kennesaw, Ga. – Despite a strong pitching effort from Jordan Hillyer, the Kennesaw State baseball team could not withstand a late-game comeback from visiting Jacksonville University on Friday (May 8) evening, dropping a 5-3 final at Stillwell Stadium.

The Owls (25-23, 8-7) jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Dolphins (22-27, 8-7) scored the final five runs of the game to take game one of the three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series.

KSU scattered eight hits in the game as Alex Liquori (2-for-4, one RBI), Taylor Allum (1-for-4, one RBI) and Chris McGowan (1-for-3, one RBI) paced the Owls' lineup in the losing effort.

In what featured a marquee pitching matchup between KSU's Hillyer and Jacksonville's Michael Baumann, the two delivered strong outings on the mound in the opening game. The two entered the weekend
near the top of the A-Sun in ERA's, with Hillyer sitting at 2.50 and Baumann coming in at 2.34.

Hillyer was strong from the start, allowing one run (unearned) on eight hits while striking out six batters over 7.0 innings of work. The junior righthander tossed 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, issuing no walks on the evening.

On the other side of the mound was Baumann, who allowed three earned runs on seven hits over 6.0 innings on the bump. Each starting pitcher earned a no decision in their outings, as Jacksonville erased a three-run deficit late in the game to earn its 22nd win of the season.

KSU jumped on the scoreboard first, plating the first three runs of the ballgame to take a 3-0 lead through the first six innings.

The Owls got things quickly, plating the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Kennesaw State's leadoff hitter Corey Greeson reached base safely after Baumann hit the sophomore with a pitch. Three batters later, McGowan knocked Greeson home with a two-out RBI single up the middle to give KSU an early 1-0 lead.

Kennesaw State's aggressive offense continued in the second, doubling its lead to 2-0. Chris Erwin, who entered the game batting a team-high .327, led off the inning with his second triple of the season down the left field line. Allum followed with an RBI single to left, giving KSU a 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Hillyer was rolling through the early stages of the game, tossing six scoreless innings to keep the 2-0 lead in tact. The junior avoided giving up any runs as JU threatened with six base runners in the first three innings, but kept the bats quiet when it counted most.

Leading by two, the Owls added their third run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Liquori stepped up to the plate and hit his third home run of the season to give KSU a 3-0 advantage.

However, Jacksonville fought back and scored the final five runs over the last three innings of play to take a 5-3 win.

The Owls used three guys out of the bullpen, as Will Lowman (0-2) was charged with the hard-fought loss, allowing two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings out work. Mason Ward and Tony Dibrell also made appearances for Kennesaw State in relief of Hillyer.

Kennesaw State and Jacksonville will continue its A-Sun series showdown Saturday (May 9) afternoon. The pitching matchup will feature Owls' Travis Bergen and Dolphins' Spencer Stockton. First pitch is scheduled for 2 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.