THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (7-10), Tennessee Tech (7-8)
Score: Kennesaw State 5, Tennessee Tech 6
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Nick Osborne vs. LHP Mason Ward
Key Players: Mason Ward (Career-high 4.2IP, first collegiate start); Jake Franklin (1-for-4, 2RBI); Alex Liquori (2-for-4, 2RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

THE STORYLINE: 
· Tennessee Tech scored six runs over a three-inning span to hold off Kennesaw State's comeback, taking a 6-5 final at Stillwell Stadium Wednesday evening on ESPN3.
· The Owls scored five runs over the final four innings, but could not overcome a late 6-3 deficit.
· The loss dropped the Owls to 7-10 overall, while the Golden Eagles improved to 7-8 on the season.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· Mason Ward received the start under head coach Mike Sansing, tossing a career-high 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits.
· The Golden Eagles broke the scoreless game with a pair of runs in the top half of the fifth, plating two on a two-out, two-run RBI.
· Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Jake Franklin hit a key two-run home run to tie the game at 3-3.
· Tennessee Tech extended its lead to 6-3 heading into the ninth with three runs in the top of the eighth.
· After back-to-back walks to lead off the bottom of the ninth, senior Alex Liquori hit a base-clearing two-run RBI double to pull within 6-5.
·  The Golden Eagles' Michael Wood held off the rally to help secure the win.  
 · The two teams used five pitchers each as a combined 14 hits and three errors lit up the right field scoreboard.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 
· Kennesaw State broadcasted on ESPN3 for the second time in program history Wednesday evening.
· Mason Ward made his first collegiate start on the mound.
· Jeremy Howell played in his 17^th game this season (15 starts), marking the only Owl in the lineup that can claim that statistic.
· Jake Franklin hit his second home run of his collegiate career.
 
UP NEXT
 The Owls return to action with a three-game series against in-state rival Mercer. KSU will take on the Bears at Stillwell Stadium on Friday and Saturday, with both airing on ESPN3. The two will then play in the series finale on Sunday in Macon, Georgia.