KENNESAW, Ga. – The Owls split a doubleheader on Saturday after dropping game one 6-4 before ending the night with a 4-0 win.
The KSU pitching staff was impressive the entire day, which was highlighted by
Ryan Kennedy recording a career-high eight strikeouts and
Jake Rothwell and
Jared Rine combining for zero runs and three hits in game two.
Game One
The Eagles struck first in the second inning with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead after two. FGCU extended its advantage to 3-0 after a home run in the fourth inning.
Jaylen Smith put the Owls on the board in the fifth inning with an RBI single to the shortstop to score
Tyler Simon to make it 3-1, Eagles.
The Owls put together a six-hit, three-run sixth inning to take the lead. After RBI singles from
Terence Norman and
Tyler Simon,
Justin Russell smoked a ball through the left side to score
Garrett Hodges and put the Owls in the lead, 4-3.
The Eagles rebounded in the eighth inning with an RBI single to left field and an RBI single to center field to plate two more for the final lead of the ballgame.
Kennedy started on the bump for the Owls and pitched 6.0 innings, yielding just two earned runs while punching out eight batters.
Jake McLinskey tossed 3.0 innings and gave up three runs while striking out five.
The Owls were led at the plate by Simon, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Game Two
The pitching highlighted the second game for the Owls, as Rothwell and Rine were lights out. After Rothwell started and picked up his first win of the season, Rine came in and dealt; striking out six batters while allowing just one hit.
David Chabut mashed his first home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Owls a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
The only other scoring for either squad for the rest of the contest was a double off of the left-center wall from
Daniel Seres to score three base runners.
That was all it took, though, as Rothwell and Rine shut down the Eagles. The Owls handed FGCU's starter his first loss of the season, after coming into the contest boasting a 6-0 record.
Chabut ended the second game 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Seres collected three RBIs.
The Owls look to carry their momentum into Tuesday's midweek bout at Mercer. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. in Macon.
