The Owls experienced pitching staff flexed their muscles to out-duel a terrific outing from West Virginia's Alek Manoah who recorded 13 strikeouts in six innings. The Owls' starter, right hander Brooks Buckler, pitched a brilliant game recording seven strikeouts over 5.0 innings while surrendering only one run.
 
Jaylen Smith recorded the first hit of the season for Kennesaw State early in the game. The Owls' offense started sluggish through the first four frames before scoring their first run in the fifth.
 
After an error in the bottom of the fifth frame, the Owls tied the ballgame after Alex Carballo ripped a single through the right side to score David Chabut, who reached on a throwing error.
 
Both teams' offenses got hot over the next few innings with West Virginia scoring twice in the sixth and the Owls scoring one run in the bottom of the inning.
 
The seventh inning for the Owls proved to be the most productive as the Owls plated a trio of runs. With the bases loaded, Tyler Simon grounded the ball to the shortstop, who flipped it to the second baseman looking for the double play. The WVU second basemen would end up throwing the ball away, resulting in Daniel Seres crossing the plate off the error. The Owls were not done in the inning, as Garrett Hodges roped a ball to right field that scored Simon.
 
The closer for The Owls, Jake McLinskey, pitched a quick ninth inning frame to cement Kennesaw State's Opening Day victory.

The Owls will play a Saturday doubleheader starting with Illinois-Chicago at noon, followed by Richmond at 6 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium.

Notes

• Brooks Buckler had seven strikeouts over his 5.0  innings to start his season.      
• Jaylen Smith returned to form after an injury riddled 2018 season recording a double to left field for the first Owls' first hit of the season.
• Garrett Hodges notched the first multi-hit game for the Owls.
• Owls start the season 1-0 and notch their 4th consecutive opening day victory.
• Jake McLinskey recorded his first save of the season.
• Simon went 1-for-4, but his one hit, a double down the left field line, was one of two Owls' extra base hits.
• Jared Staples picked up the win to begin 2019 1-0.
• Carballo recorded a team-high seven putouts.