THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (24-24) vs. Auburn (22-27)
Final Score: KSU 7, Auburn 3
Starting Pitching Matchup: LHP Andrew Mitchell vs. LHP
Brian Exley (Win)
Key Players: Corey Greeson (4-for-5, six RBI);
Alex Liquori (2-for-4);
Jordan Getzelman (2-for-4);
Trevor Brown (2-for-3); Owls Pitching Staff
Box Score (PDF) |
Box Score (XML)
THE STORYLINE:
· Kennesaw State defeated Auburn at Plainsman Park, 7-3, Wednesday evening to earn a two-game sweep over the Tigers for the first time in program history.
·
Corey Greeson's six RBI and a career-high four hits led an offensive attack that out-hit the Tigers 14-4 before 2,070 fans.
· With the win, the Owls flew back to the .500 mark at 24-24, while Auburn dropped to 22-27 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
·
Brian Exley (1-1) made his first collegiate start on the bump, tossing a career-high 4.0 innings of work to earn his first victory as an Owl.
· The lefty worked an efficient evening, tossing 68 pitches as 39 (57 percent) were thrown for strikes.
· Exley struck out three Tigers on the evening while issuing just on walk, and gave up three runs (two earned) on just two hits.
· With Exley working hard early,
Corey Greeson's –who entered the game batting.360 –bat proved to be too much for the Tigers' staff.
·Greeson, a Calhoun, Ga. native, knocked in a career-high six RBI over the first six innings, accounting for two RBI in the second, fourth and in the sixth frame – which was a two-run home run, his fifth of the season.
· The bat of the switch-hitting Greeson powered the Owls to a 7-3 lead into the middle of the sixth frame and proved to be too much for the Tigers.
· Behind Exley, the Owls' pitching staff kept Auburn scoreless for all of one inning, limiting the Tigers to four hits.
·
Drew Reeves,
Brock Turner,
Logan Hutchinson and
Erich Stahl came out of the bullpen to keep Auburn off the scoreboard in scoreless frames.
· The bats for Kennesaw State produced 14 hits as Greeson (4-for-5) led the chard as
Alex Liquori (2-for-4),
Jordan Getzelman (2-for-4) and
Trevor Brown (2-for-3) combined for 10 hits on the night.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
·
Brian Exley made his first collegiate start on the mound and worked a new career high in innings pitched.
· Wednesday's non-conference affair marked the final mid-week clash for the 2016 campaign.
· For the 28
th time this season, the Owls totaled 10 or more hits in a game.
·
Corey Greeson's six RBI fell one shy for a single-game record of seven set by Andy Chriscaden in 2012.
· With the win, the Owls swept an SEC opponent for the first time in program history with a 6-5 victory over Auburn at home before taking a 7-3 victory Wednesday.
QUOTABLE
"
Corey Greesonwas great tonight at the plate. He was huge for us at the plate with four hits and six RBI, especially setting the tone early offensively. He did a great job getting on base, knocking guys in and had a great job. Brian (Exley) did well tonight with the spot start. I was pleased with him and our bullpen overall."
Head Coach, Mike Sansing
UP NEXT
The Owls will take on ASUN foe Stetson at Stillwell Stadium in yet another critical three-game conference series. Kennesaw State will enter the weekend with a 12-3 mark and the Hatters will come to campus with an 8-7 mark.
