THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (16-19, 6-1) vs. USC Upstate (16-18, 1-5)
Final Score: KSU 6, USC Upstate 5
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Tyler Jackson vs. RHP Gabe Friese
Key Players:  Austin Upshaw (4-for-4, 2 RBI); Corey Greeson (2-for-5, RBI); Bullpen Pitching (Hutchinson, Lovelady & Stahl)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State erased a three-run deficit late in Friday night's ballgame, overtaking host USC Upstate at Harley Park, 6-5, in an Atlantic Sun Conference clash.
· The Owls scored four runs on six of their 10 total hits in the ballgame over a two-inning stretch to take down the Spartans in the series opener.
· With the victory, Kennesaw State's record improved to 16-19 overall and 6-1 in the conference, while the loss dropped USC Upstate to 16-18 overall and 1-5 in the A-Sun.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· Kennesaw State's Gabe Friese, a junior from Kennesaw, Ga., pitched 6.0 innings and allowed nine hits and five runs (three unearned) while striking out six batters – earning a no decision on the night.
· Upstate countered with Friday night starter Tyler Jackson, who tossed 6.1 frames and allowed five runs on five hits in his no decision.  
· The Owls lit up the left field scoreboard first, plating two runs in the top half of the third with a stolen base and an RBI sac fly off the bat of Brennan Morgan.
· However, Upstate scored five unanswered runs with a four-run fourth and a single run in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.
· Clutch hitting for the Owls produced three runs in the seventh and tied the ballgame at 5-5.
· A key two-run single off the bat of Austin Upshaw –who finished the night with a career-best 4-for-4 performance at the plate—highlighted the frame and erased a three-run deficit.
· The Owls' offensive momentum continued in the eighth, scoring the go-ahead run with an RBI single off Corey Greeson's bat to give KSU a 6-5 lead.
· The Owls' bullpen combined to toss 2.0 innings, allowing just two hits and no runs to shut out the Spartans.
· Kennesaw State got keep contributions from Logan Hutchinson (W, 4-1), Richard Lovelady and Erich Stahl (Save, 6).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 
· The Owls improved to 7-2 against the Spartans in the series opener since 2008, and 16-7 in the series history.
· The Owls and Spartans will play an Atlantic Sun series for the ninth consecutive season over the weekend.
· Austin Upshaw extended his hitting streak to five games with a single in the first inning Friday night.
· For the sixth time this season, Upshaw record three hits in a ballgame, with his last coming on March 12 against Middle Tennessee.
· For the fifth straight game, Upshaw recorded two or more hits in a game and recorded a career-high four hits.
· Kennesaw State extended its winning streak to five games.
 
QUOTABLE
"I think Austin (Upshaw) had a huge night and gave us some key hits throughout the game. Corey Greeson also had a big go-head RBI and we didn't do anything offensively early on, but we came around near the end. We got it going late and it was encourage. Our bullpen was great and it was fun to watch."
--Head Coach Mike Sansing 

UP NEXT
 The Owls will continue their weekend in Spartanburg, taking on USC Upstate on Saturday afternoon on ESPN3. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.