THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (21-23, 11-2) at Jacksonville (27-16, 9-4)
Final Score: KSU 5, Jacksonville 3
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Michael Baumann vs. LHP Chris Erwin
Key Players: Chris Erwin (5.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs); Taylor Allum (HR); Jeremy Howell (3-for-5); David Chabut (2-for-4, RBI); Corey Greeson (2-for-5, RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

THE STORYLINE: 
· In a pivotal three-game series with first place on the line, Kennesaw State out-battled host Jacksonville University Friday night, taking the opener 5-3 at John Sessions Stadium Friday night.
· Kennesaw State's Chris Erwin out-dueled Jacksonville's ace Michael Baumann as the Owls backed the lefties performance with a decisive five-run sixth inning.
· With the victory, the Owls improved to 21-23 overall and extended their first-place lead to two games with an 11-2 mark – clinching a spot in the A-Sun Tournament with an NJIT loss to Stetson –, while Jacksonville dropped to 27-16 overall and 9-4 in A-Sun action.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· In a marquee pitching matchup between two Friday night guys, KSU's Erwin (2-1) tossed 5.1 grind-it-out frames, allowing just four hits and two runs while punching out six JU batters on the evening. 
· On the other end, Baumann countered with 5.1 innings and surrendered five runs on nine hits – all runs were earned in the top of the sixth frame as he pitched five scoreless frames before the outburst.
· Jacksonville took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with one swing of the bat, plating the first two runs of the ballgame.
· KSU's Erwin, however, bounced back nicely keeping the Dolphins scoreless over the next four frames to keep the Owls within striking distance.
· During the stretch, the junior struck out five batters and faced just two over the minimum through the second to fifth frames.
· With the Grayson, Ga. native in control, the Owls finally broke up the A-Sun Preseason Pitcher of the Year's shutout bid with a five-run sixth frame to take a 5-2 advantage.
· In the frame, Taylor Allum knocked out his second home run of the season to jumpstart the inning, which started a five-hit frame.
· Kennesaw State five players (Taylor Allum, David Chabut, Corey Greeson, Grant Williams and Austin Upshaw) all knocked home RBI as part of 10 batters coming to the dish.
· Richard Lovelady came out of the bullpen and worked an impressive 3.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out three Dolphin hitters.
· Erich Stahl also worked the final out in the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season, holding off Jacksonville to earn the win.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 
· For the 25^th time this season, the Owls totaled 10 or more hits in a game.
· For the second straight outing, Chris Erwin worked into at least the six inning of a Friday night game.
· The Owls snapped their three-game losing skid.
· With the Owls victory Friday night and NJIT's loss against Stetson, Kennesaw State clinched a spot in the 2016 Atlantic Sun Championships.
 
QUOTABLE
"I was proud of our guys tonight, bouncing back from an early 2-0 deficit and put up five runs in the sixth inning. Our bullpen was great tonight and was able to hold off Jacksonville. Chris (Erwin) pitched well tonight outside of the first inning. He kept us close and gave us a chance and we took advantage of it."
Head Coach, Mike Sansing
 
UP NEXT
 The Owls will be back in action on May 7, taking on Atlantic Sun foe Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida in game two of the Atlantic Sun series showdown.