THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (23-24) vs. Georgia State (23-26)
Final Score: KSU 3, Georgia State 2
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP
Bryce Conley vs. LHP Mason Ward
Key Players: Grant Williams (2-for-5);
Alex Liquori (2-for-2, 2 runs);
Griffin Helms (RBI);
Mason Ward (6.1 IP, career high)
Box Score (PDF) |
Box Score (XML)
THE STORYLINE:
· Kennesaw State backed an efficient pitching performance from
Mason Ward, taking a 3-2 decision over crosstown rival Georgia State Tuesday night at Stillwell Stadium in a non-conference tilt.
·
Mason Ward tossed a career-high 6.1 innings, out-dueling the Panthers' staff as timely hitting proved to be enough.
· With the win, the Owls improved to 23-24 overall and Georgia State dropped to 23-26.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
· The lefty product from Canton, Ga. was efficient all evening, allowing just two runs and seven hits, while striking out three Panthers.
· Ward tossed just 92 pitches on the night as 60 (65 percent) of his pitches were for strikes during.
· The lefty tossed five scoreless frames on the night and tossed two 1-2-3 frames and issued no walks.
· In a pitching matchup, the Panthers countered with RHP Bryce Conley – who tossed 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on just four hits.
· The Owls jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the home half of the first frame, plating the first run thanks to an RBI ground out of
Griffin Helms' bat before a wild pitch put a crooked two on the board.
· The Panthers responded with a two-run home run in the top half of the second to deadlock the game at 2-2.
·The score remained true until
Alex Liquori, who led off the frame with a triple, was brought home on a fielder's choice off
Jeremy Howell's bat for a 3-2 edge – proving to be the game-winner.
·
Logan Hutchinson (6-1) earned the win on the mound, while
Richard Lovelady and
Erich Stahl (8) come out of the pen to shut down the Panthers.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
·
Richard Lovelady made his 32
nd appearance this season, which ranks second in the NCAA.
· Lovelady is eight appearances away from breaking the single-season record for most appearances in KSU history.
·
Alex Liquori recorded his team-leading third triple of the season in the seventh inning.
· Liquori is now just six triples away from being the Owls' all-time leader in KSU's D-I history.
QUOTABLE
"Mason (Ward) was tremendous tonight. We needed an outing that went deep into a ballgame and he delivered. He had it going early and pitched extremely well. I was pleased with our bullpen coming in and doing a good job against a good Georgia State team."
Head Coach, Mike Sansing
UP NEXT
The Owls will take part in their final mid-week non-conference game of the 2016, traveling to Auburn to play on SEC Network+ at Plainsman Park. Wednesday's game is set for 6 p.m.
