Records: Kennesaw State (5-2), Ohio (3-4)
Score: Kennesaw State 8, Ohio 7 (8 innings)
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Connor Sitz vs. RHP Tony Dibrell
Key Players:  Chris Erwin (2-for-4, 2 RBI); Justin Motley (2-for-3, 1 RBI); Austin Pharr (1-for-2, 3 RBI); Richard Lovelady (win)

Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

KENNESAW, Ga. –  In a wild, rainy night at Stillwell Stadium, the Kennesaw State baseball team earned a unique victory over visiting Ohio University on Tuesday (March 1) evening, taking a 8-7 final after the game was called in the bottom of the ninth inning due to weather.  
 
The Owls and Bobcats were deadlocked at 8-8 with two outs in the final at-bats of the ninth, as Jeremy Howell had a 2-2 count with runners on second and third. But, lighting and rain delayed the game before the contest was called due to weather.
 
By rule, the game reverted back to the last fully completed inning, giving the Owls an odd 8-7 win after eight completed innings of action on Tuesday night.
 
The Bobcats, in fact, led 7-6 after placing a run in the top half of the eighth inning in a back-and-forth affair in which saw two ties and three lead changes over the final four innings of play.
 
However, a two-run home run in the bottom half of the frame off the bat of Chris Erwin—who finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI—lifted Kennesaw State to an 8-7 advantage, and proved to be the difference maker.
 
The Owls (5-2) were paced offensively by Erwin (2-for-4), senior Justin Motley (2-for-3, RBI) and Austin Pharr (1-for-2, three RBI). The three combined for five hits and six RBI.
 
 Kennesaw State also had five pitchers throw on the mound Tuesday night, as Drew Reeves made his debut on the mound and Richard Lovelady tossed 1.1 innings late in the game to earn the victory.
 
For the game, the Bobcats (3-4) left 13 runners on base as they loaded the bases in the third, fifth and seventh innings and left nine runners on base in critical scoring moments throughout the game.
 
Jake Franklin set the tone defensively for the Owls, making a leaping catch over the right field wall to rob Ohio's Rudy Rott of a grand slam in the top half of the third inning. The #SCTOP10 worthy play kept a 5-0 lead intact for the Owls, who exploded for five runs on three hits in the bottom of the second.
 
Kennesaw State entered the ballgame outscoring opponents 11-5 in the second inning, and that success in the frame continued against Ohio.
 
In the inning, KSU's patience at the plate paid off as Ohio issued two walks, which set up a wild pitch to bring home Helms for the first run of the game. Justin Motely, a senior from Marietta, Georgia, followed with an RBI double before Pharr –who made his first collegiate start at third base—hit a three-run home run to give Kennesaw State a 5-0 advantage.
 
The five-run inning proved to be crucial for Kennesaw State, as Ohio outscored the Owls 7-3 over the final six innings. It was enough to hold off the Bobcats' attack after it was called in the ninth inning to end in an 8-7 finish after eight completed innings.
 
Up Next
The Owls will return to action at Stillwell Stadium Wednesday (March 2) evening, taking on the 49ers of Charlotte in non-conference action. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcasted on A-Sun TV with Nathan McCreary on the call.
 
Notes
- Due to weather when the game was called in the bottom of the ninth.
- By rule, the contest resorted back to the last completed inning. The Owls led 8-7 after eighth innings, giving KSU its fifth win of the season.
- The Owls and Bobcats played for the first time in programs' history Tuesday evening.
- Austin Pharr made his first college start under head coach Mike Sansing. In his first at-bat, Pharr hit his first collegiate home run.
- Austin Upshaw and Alex Liquori made their seventh consecutive starts for the Owls, which are the only two players to start in each game in the first two weeks.
- The Owls scored first for the fourth time in seven games this season, placing five runs in the second. KSU is now 4-0 when scoring the first run in a game.
- KSU entered the ballgame outscoring opponents 11-5 in the second inning, and placed five runs on the Bobcats in the frame.
-  Drew Reeves also made his Owl debut out of the bullpen in the fifth inning, relieving Tony Dibrell of his services.
- The Owls placed five runs in the second inning for the second time this season.  
 
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.