THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (7-8), Sacred Heart (2-7)
Score Game: Kennesaw State 3, Sacred Heart 2
Starting Pitching Matchup: LHP James Taubl vs. RHP AJ Moore (1-0)
Key Players:  AJ Moore (6.1 IP, 2 Hits, 9 K), Griffin Helms (2-for-3, two runs, two RBI), Jake Franklin (2-for-3, one RBI), LaDonis Bryant (1-for-4)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Gallery

THE STORYLINE: 
· RHP AJ Moore (1-0) dealt 6.1 scoreless frames and senior C Griffin Helms' two-run homer proved to be enough in a 3-2 victory over Sacred Heart Saturday night, taking the series opener at Stillwell Stadium.
· The Owls (7-8) used five hits to score three runs, backing Moore's impressive outing, while the Pioneers (2-7) dropped the series opener held to two runs –both scoring in the top of the ninth.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
· Moore, a Dacula, Ga., native, was stellar all night, working 6.1 frames allowing just two hits and issued three walks.
· The righty tied his career-high with nine strikeouts on the evening and faced just over the minimum for his outing.
· The senior retired the first eight Pioneer batters before allowing the first hit of the evening in the third frame. The RHP faced just three batters over the minimum over the first 5.0 innings, totaling 58 percent of his pitches for strikes.
· Moore (1-0) earned the victory on the evening, now totaling a 13-12 career victory and sits five wins away from becoming the all-time leader in starts in KSU D-I history.
· The Owls' Helms backed Moore's impressive outing on the mound, connecting on a fastball off the hand of Pioneers' LHP Jame Taubl for a two-run homer in the bottom of the second.
· The 2-0 lead remained true until Helms' double set-up a two-out RBI single off the bat of junior OF Jake Franklin to extend KSU's lead to 3-0 in the sixth.
· Sacred Heart
· Offensively, the Owls were paced by Helms (2-for-3, two runs, two RBI), Franklin (2-for-3, one RBI) and LaDonis Bryant (1-for-4).
 
TICKETS
The Department of Athletics is offering a 10-game pack for $20 for the remainder of the season, which can be purchased onsite or individual games. You can also do so by CLICKING HERE. You can also reach the ticket box office by calling 470-578-4849 for any ticket inquiries.

Premium home games ($10) include: 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. 
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State and Sacred Heart continue its three-game series with a scheduled doubleheader beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning.