By: By Jake Dorow
The Owls are coming off a 1-3 opening weekend, and look to snap their three-game losing skid Wednesday night hosting SEC in-state foe Georgia at Stillwell Stadium. Kennesaw State and UGA square off for the first time this season as part one of its home-and-home series. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., and will air live on ESPN3.
ON DECK
- Kennesaw State returns to Stillwell Stadium for a non-conference game versus SEC foe Georgia Wednesday evening. The Owls are in the midst of a 10-game homestand to open the 2018 season, and are schedule to play on their home grass 16 of their first 18 games.
- The Owls opened their season with an impressive 7-3 victory over UCONN on opening night. KSU scored seven runs on eight hits, registering two doubles, three home runs and hit .258 as a team on opening night.
- Head Coach Mike Sansing will act as the Owls' manager for his 27th season, sitting 32 wins away from winning 1,000 career games as a member of the KSU family. Sansing holds a 968-554 (.637) record at Kennesaw State and a 1,070-582 (.648) all-time in 30 seasons.
- The Owls return 19 from 2016 and place 16 newcomers on the roster. Kennesaw State will showcase 12 new pitchers and four position players, while eight returning pitchers and 11 position guys return from a season ago.
- Sophomore OF Terence Norman tallied a team-high .357 batting average over the weekend, driving home four runs and totaling at least one hit in three of the four games.
- Senior 2B Grant Williams followed Norman's strong weekend with a team-high seven RBI, going 5-for-15 (.333) at the dish. Williams totaled at least one hit in every game and drove home a career-high five runs in game two versus Minnesota on Saturday.
- RHP Jake McLinskey gets the start on the mound for the Owls versus Georgia. He made his Owl debut over the weekend, tossing 1.0 inning, allowing three runs on five hits and struck out two. He will earn his first start in a Black and Gold uniform.
- Kennesaw State finished 2017 with a 25-32 overall record. The Owls holds winning record in 27 of its first 34 seasons of existence.
- KSU plays a total of 56 games in the regular season, 36 of them coming at home and 20 on the road. The Owls take on 17 (nine home, nine away) midweek tilts and opens ASUN action on the road at USC Upstate on March 29.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are available for $39 and can be purchased online by CLICKING HERE. You can also reach the ticket box office by calling 470-578-4849 for any season ticket inquiries.
Premium home games include Georgia (Feb. 21), Mercer (Feb. 27), Samford (March 2), North Florida (April 13), Lipscomb (April 20), Georgia State (May 8), Georgia Southern (May 9) and Clemson (May 15), and are priced $10 for single-game tickets.
SCHEDULE NOTES
• 56 games
• 36 home games at Stillwell Stadium
• 20 road games
• 17 midweek games (9 home/9 away)
• Season opener: Feb. 16 vs. UCONN
• Atlantic Sun Conference opener: March 29 at USC Upstate
Q&A WITH HEAD COACH MIKE SANSING
Q: You are entering your 27th season as head coach at KSU and sit 33 wins away from 1,000 as an Owl. Have you given much thought in that and what would it would mean reaching that milestone?
A: I didn't realize that was the number until you mentioned it. But yeah, it's year 27 and I've had a lot of great years and runs with a lot of great players on great teams. I'm looking forward to another season at Kennesaw State.
Q: Last season, the Owls made a run in the tournament reaching the semifinals in the ASUN Championships. What has the clubhouse been like entering this season coming off that loss and so close to a championship?
A: There hasn't been a huge emphasis about that. I think each team has its own identity and own goal. We talk more about the process of winning and win big, but we haven't sat down and talked about what happened last season.
Q: Talk about the mesh of this team with all the newcomers this season playing with a lot of guys that return from a season ago?
A: That's been a focus of ours this year, trying to blend the new guys with the returners. It's been a focus of ours in practice and trying to identify the strengths of our new guys and how they match up with our returners. We have to blend the roster with how we feel comfortable managing the guys.
Q: Talk about the newcomers, specifically. Who might have a standout year?
A: Well I think a majority of our newcomers will be showcased in the pitching staff. The guys we lost last year and brought in several junior college pitchers and several high school pitchers. You'll see some freshman start and some junior college guys start on the mound. You'll see a lot of new arms in the backend of the bullpen and fans will see the most change in terms of newcomers on the mound this season. Position wise, Jaylen Smith at third base will be a key contributor, but most of the position guys will be returners.
Q: Top returners include Taylor Allum, Garrett Hodges, Terence Norman, Grant Williams and Griffin Helms…talk about those guys and the leadership you look for in them on and off the field?
A: I think both Taylor (Allum) and Grant (Williams) have taken on that role of leadership and try to lead by example on the field and off the field. With a lot of position guys coming back, it's been more of trying to lead the pitching staff.
Q: Most of your lineup from a season ago returns. Talk about your team from an offensive standpoint and how you see that side making an impact in 2018?
A: We don't have a lot of depth in our lineup, or position guys in terms of numbers. I think we have good players and there are good players that won't start that have a lot of talent. You'll see a consistent lineup in terms of the personnel.
Q: Is there anyone in the Fall or Spring that caught you by surprise and could have a breakout season?
A: AJ Willoughby is one of the guys on this team that can really play anywhere in the infield. That helps us with our depth. Jake Franklin had a really good fall for us as well as Griffin Helms. Franklin will be playing in center field and has played some in the past. I'm hoping this will be a breakout season for him because he's been great in the fall and spring.
Q: What are your thoughts on the league as a whole this season?
A: This may be one of the stronger years in terms of competition that I can remember over the past five seasons. The quality of teams and players the ASUN has, you have to look and think anyone has a chance.
Q: Talk about the schedule. What challenges do you face and bringing in some big time opponents.
A: We do have a very good non-conference schedule. It allows our players to play at a high level all the time. The midweek games are competitive and our guys will have to push things with quality teams coming in. You hope those games prepare you for conference play facing quality pitching and hitting.
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