THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (21-27, 9-8), NJIT (8-37, 1-16)
Score (Gm1): Kennesaw State 13, NJIT 1 (7)
Score (Gm2): Kennesaw State 2, NJIT 5
Starting Pitching Matchup (Gm1): LHP Brian Sondergard vs. RHP Tony Dibrell
Starting Pitching Matchup (Gm2): RHP Jared Kasco vs. RHP AJ Moore

Game 1: Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
Game 2: Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
·  Seventeen hits and 13 runs gave Kennesaw State an ASUN series-opening victory Friday night, but NJIT came back with a 5-2 victory in the night cap to earn a twinbill split at Riverfront Stadium.
·  Every batter in KSU's lineup in Game 1 totaled at least one hit as the Black and Gold exploded offensively to take the series opener, but a late surge from NJIT in Game 2 helped earn a Friday split.
· Kennesaw State sits at 21-27 overall and 9-8 in ASUN action, while NJIT stands at 8-37 overall and 1-16 in conference play.
 
GAME 1
· Kennesaw State's offense wasted no time as junior Corey Greeson hit the first of three home runs in the top half of the first inning, giving the Owls a quick 1-0 lead and never trailed in the ballgame.
· The home run was the first of 17 hits; plating 13 runs which run-ruled the Highlanders after seven innings to take a 13-1 series opener.
· Every Owl in the lineup totaled at least one hit over the first three innings, spraying 10 hits – including three extra base hits –, which scored seven runs to take a six-run advantage over the Highlanders.
· In fact, the Black and Gold totaled 12 hits --plating one run in the first, three runs in the second, three more in the third, and one more in the fourth-- before not scoring in the fourth to take a commanding 8-1 lead into the middle innings
· Starting RHP Tony Dibrell (6-3), an Alpharetta, Ga., native, was spectacular after allowing an earned run in the bottom of the first inning, tossing a seven-inning complete game to earn his sixth victory of the season.
· The righty allowed just four hits over his final six frames, and punched out eight NJIT batters during his day at the office.
· Offensively, Austin Upshaw (3-for-5, one RBI), Chris Erwin (3-for-4, three RBI), David Chabut (2-for-4, three RBI), Taylor Allum (2-for-5, two RBI), Grant Williams (2-for-5, two RBI), and Griffin Helms (2-for-2, three runs) paced a lineup in which every player recorded at least a hit and scored a run.
 
GAME 2
· The Black and Gold once again scored first, coming off the bat of David Chabut with an RBI single in the top half of the second frame to take a 1-0 lead.  
· After NJIT deadlocked the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, junior Forrest Bramlett knocked an RBI double in the fifth to give KSU a 2-1 edge.
· Four unanswered runs, however, from the Highlanders in the seventh inning gave the home team a 5-2 lead over Kennesaw State.
· RHP AJ Moore was solid in his start, allowing three runs on just three hits in 6.0 innings. The righty struck out five and walked just one in his outing.
· Offensively, Bramlett (3-for-4, one RBI), Chabut (1-for-4, RBI), Grant Williams (1-for-4), and Chris Erwin (1-for-2) paced the lineup.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Taylor Allum produced his 14^th home run of the season in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, moving within one long ball to tie KSU's single-season record of 15 set by Andy Chriscaden.
· Sophomore David Chabut recorded his first collegiate home run in the Black and Gold uniform in the top of the seventh inning in Game 1 of the twinbill.  
· The Owls' three home runs in Game 1 fell two shy of tying KSU's D-I single-game record for homers (five, 2010).
·  Austin Upshaw extended his hitting streak to 10 games totaling three hits in Game 1, but the streak was snapped on the night cap.
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State and NJIT are scheduled to end its three-game series Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. start at Riverfront Stadium. Stay up-to-date on @ksuowlsbaseball for updates on impending weather and possible time changes.