KENNESAW, Ga. – Tyler Tolve lifted the Owls past UNA 7-6 on Saturday to clinch the series with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Tolve launched a ball over the center fielder's head to score Nick Colina.

The Owls battled all afternoon and topped the contest off in walk-off fashion. After Justin Russell began the ninth inning with a single down the left field line, Colina was utilized as a pinch runner with no outs. Garrett Hodges pushed Colina to second base by drawing a walk. After Tyler Simon flew out, UNA loaded the bases with another walk, as Alex Carballo took a free pass.

Tolve followed Carballo and took advantage of the first pitch to win the game.
 

Hear from today's hero @TolveTyler after driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. 💪#NoDoubt pic.twitter.com/TVrv5gO0B0

— Kennesaw State Baseball (@KSUOwlsBaseball) March 23, 2019

UNA took advantage of a quick start by plating a pair of runs in the first inning. The Owls answered in the bottom of the inning after Russell doubled to left-center to score David Chabut to cut the lead in half.

Kennesaw State put its power on display in the bottom of the third inning when Jake Franklin and Hodges homered to take a 4-2 lead.

North Alabama scored two more runs in the fifth inning to tie the ballgame with an RBI double and a sacrifice bunt. Hodges continued his impressive offensive performance in the fifth inning with a double to right center to score Russell to put the Owls on top 5-4.

With two runners on base in the sixth inning, Simon singled through the right side to score Franklin and give the Owls the 6-4 lead.

The Lions would not go away without a fight – scoring a pair of runs in the eighth inning. It was not enough, as Tolve lifted the Owls over the Lions to remain perfect in ASUN play.

Ryan Kennedy started for the Owls and went 6.0 innings while striking out six batters. Jared Rine, Ryan Wesley and Nathan Dupree all pitched an inning of relief while Dupree earned his first win of the season.

The Owls look to sweep UNA tomorrow at 1 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium.

NOTES
• It was the Owls first walk-off win of the season
• Russell ended 3-for-4 with an RBI
• Hodges finished 2-for-3 with a trio of RBIs
• Hodges recorded his 7^th multi-RBI game of the season
• Simon went 2-for-5 with an RBI
• The Owls recorded four extra-base hits
• Kennesaw State has won eight of its last nine games
• David Chabut extended his hit streak to 10 games