THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (23-27), Mercer (38-13)
Score: Kennesaw State 6, Mercer 1
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Zach Graveno vs. LHP Nathan Dupree
Key Players: Garrett Hodges (2-for-3, RBI), Corey Greeson (1-for-4, HR, three RBI), Matt Mixon (2-for-4, HR, RBI), Jeremy Howell (2-for-3, RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· Extra base hits proved to be the difference maker in Macon as Kennesaw State tamed the Bears of Mercer at Claude Smith Field in its final non-conference game of the season, 6-1.
· The Owls totaled five extra base hits – including two home runs – which provided five of their six runs batted in to earn a season-series split with the Bears.
· With the victory, Kennesaw State improved to 23-27 overall while Mercer dropped to 38-13 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· Three of the Owls' first seven hits went for extra base hits, including a three-run homer and an RBI double off the bats of Corey Greeson and Garrett Hodges, respectively, to give the Black and Gold a 4-1 edge after three frames.
· Kennesaw State extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning when junior Matt Mixon hit his first career home run with a leadoff shot to give the Owls a 5-1 advantage.
· Meanwhile, RHP Nathan Dupree (1-5), a Marietta, Ga., native, tossed 4.0 solid innings in his fifth career start. The righty allowed just four hits and one run, striking out a batter and issuing just one walk to take a four-run lead into the middle innings.
·Dupree threw 66 percent of his pitches for strikes and left five runners on base to allow the Owls' offense to jump out in front thanks to four of their first eight hits going for extra bases.
· The bullpen came in and controlled Mercer's lineup, as seniors Erich Stahl and Brock Turner tossed a combined 4.0 frames and allowed no runs on just three hits.
· An RBI single from Jeremy Howell scored freshman Terence Norman –who opened the top half with a double—to give the Black and Gold their largest lead of the ballgame at 6-1.
· LHP Brian Exley was also solid, coming in the ninth inning and worked a scoreless frame to put the finishing touches on the night.
· Offensively, Hodges (2-for-3, RBI), Greeson (1-for-4, HR, three RBI), Mixon (2-for-4, HR, RBI) and Howell (2-for-3, RBI) combined for seven of the 10 hits and drove in all six runs.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Corey Greeson's three-run homer in the second inning gave him his fifth of the season, tying his single-season career high. It also marked his 12^th career home run, and ranks 10^th all-time in total HR in program history.
· Garrett Hodges' two doubles at Claude Smith Field marked a single-game career high.
· Matt Mixon hit his first collegiate home run in the fourth inning.
· The Owls recorded their 15^th game this season with at least two home runs.
· Nathan Dupree earned his first collegiate victory in Macon Tuesday night.
· The Owls totaled their 28^th game with 10 or more hits in a ballgame.
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State welcomes FGCU to Stillwell Stadium May 18-20, wrapping up its regular season and ASUN slate. The Owls and Eagles both clinched spots in the conference championships. All three games can be seen on ESPN3.