THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (12-19, 3-1), NJIT (12-16, 2-1)
Final Score: KSU 8, NJIT 2
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Sean Lubreski vs. LHP Mason Ward
Key Players: Austin Upshaw (2-for-5, RBI); Jeremy Howell (1-for-3, 3RBI); Jordan Getzelman (2-for-4, RBI); Brennan Morgan (2-for-5, RBI); Taylor Allum (1-for-3, 2 RBI)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State used a key six-run sixth inning and three home runs to soar past the visiting Highlanders of NJIT on Friday night at Stillwell Stadium, 8-2.
· Austin Upshaw, Jeremy Howell and Jordan Getzelman led the offensive attack with home runs to pace the Owls.   
· With the victory, Kennesaw State's record improves to 12-19 and 3-1 in the league play, while NJIT dropped to 12-16 overall and 2-1 in the conference.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· NJIT's Sean Lubreski (4-3) and Kennesaw State's Mason Ward (no decision) battled in a showcase of starting pitchers on Friday night.
· Ward, a lefty from Canton, Ga., tossed 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, totaling 62 strikes on 98 pitches allowing just five hits and two runs in a quality start for the Owls.
· The Highlanders countered with Lubreski, who tossed 5.0 innings allowing five hits and five runs in his outing.
 · NJIT broke the scoreless game by plating single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 2-0 advantage into the bottom half of the sixth.
· The Owls, however, answered in a big way with a six-run sixth frame on just four hits, totaling two home runs and a double as part of the bottom half to jump out to a 6-2 advantage.
· In the inning, Austin Upshaw led things off with a solo homer and Jeremy Howell followed shortly after with a three-run home run, as 11 total batters came to the plate and the first eight KSU players reached base.
· The momentum continued as Jordan Getzelman hit his third home run of the season with a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, giving KSU a 7-2 lead.
· Brennan Morgan also recorded an RBI in the eighth inning to extend KSU's lead to 8-2.
· Brock Turner, Richard Lovelady and Erich Stahl all made appearances out of the bullpen, not allowing a run and just two combined hits.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 
· Friday night's tilt marked the first tilt between the two teams.  
· The Kennesaw State Athletics' live mascot, Sturgis, turned three years old on Friday, April 8.
· Austin Upshaw hit his team-leading sixth home run of the season, while Jeremy Howell tallied his first of the season.
· Four of Kennesaw State's eight hits were for extra base hits.
 
QUOTABLE:
"Mason (Ward) pitched well tonight and I was impressed with his efforts. NJIT did a great job tonight and Austin Upshaw woke us up with a big home run in the sixth inning. Our bats got going after that and it was good to see. Our bullpen was strong again tonight and it was encouraging."  
--Head Coach Mike Sansing 
 
UP NEXT
 The Owls will continue their Atlantic Sun Conference slate with NJIT on Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. start. Nathan McCreary will have the call on KSUOwls.com.