BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Owls' (6-8) pitching staff put together eight innings of scoreless baseball, but Kennesaw State couldn't overcome three first-inning runs from Samford (11-3) and fell 3-2.

First inning woes for Kennesaw State continued into Saturday's contest with the Bulldogs. So far in 2019, the Owls have been outscored in the opening frame 11-2. Ryan Kennedy settled in after the three-run blemish in the first inning and did not let a runner in scoring position through the next 3.1 innings pitched.

The Owls were held scoreless until the fifth inning, when Kennesaw State plated a pair. With two outs and Alex Carballo on second base, Tyler Tolve singled to center field for the Owls' first run of the game. Tyler Simon doubled during the next at-bat and Kennesaw State closed the gap to just one run, 3-2.

Monty Horn relieved Kennedy and was impressive – pitching 2.1 innings of hitless baseball.

KSU threatened the Bulldogs in the eighth inning with two runners on base and no outs, but the Owls could not take advantage and headed to the bottom of the inning down a run.

Terence Norman led off the ninth inning with a double to right field, but after tagging up on a foul ball, was stranded at third and the Owls fell 3-2.

Jake Franklin finished the game going 2-for-3, while Tyler Simon, Garrett Hodges, Norman and Carballo each recorded a hit. Jake McLinksey pitched the eighth inning for the Owls and allowed just one hit.

KSU is back on the dirt tomorrow at 2 p.m.