By: Aury St. Germain
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Opponent | Liberty (30-14)
Date |Â May 3 / 4 / 5
Time |Â 6 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location |Â Stillwell Stadium
Live Stats |Â
Friday |Â
Saturday |Â
Sunday
Watch |Â
Complete SeriesÂ
Notes |
KSU
Pitching Matchup
Friday | RHPÂ
Brooks Buckler (2-4) vs. RHP Andrew McInvale (7-1)
Saturday | LHPÂ
Ryan Kennedy (4-3) vs. RHP Joseph Adametz (6-2)
Sunday | RHPÂ
Jake Rothwell (1-3) vs. RHP Noah Skirrow (3-4)
Leadoff
•  The Owls are coming into the series after an incredible offensive performance at NJIT. The Owls' bats were the hottest they had been all year, tallying 37 runs on 53 hits. As a team, KSU hit five home runs and 11 doubles.
•  The Kennesaw State offense has improved during conference play this season. During ASUN matchups, the Owls are batting at a .299 clip compared to a .280 batting average during non-league play.Â
•  In the final game against NJIT, the Owls left 17 runners on base, which was a season-high. KSU recorded 18 hits, but only scored six runs.
•  The Owls' offensive power has also improved during ASUN play, collecting 31 doubles, five triples and 12 home runs in just 15 ASUN games,  compared to 46 doubles, two triples and 24 home runs in 30 non-conference games.Â
•  Although the Owls offense has improved during league play, the pitching staff has struggled. In ASUN play, the pitchers have a collective 5.60 ERA, while boasting a 4.28 ERA in non-league play. During ASUN play, the Owls are led by Bickleman, Wesley and Ryan, who each sport a 0.00 ERA.
•  The Owls pace the ASUN in hits and batting average with 440 hits while hitting at a .287 average. The figures ranks 46th in the nation.
•  Kennesaw State is 3-9 in midweek contests in 2019.
•  Stillwell Stadium was packed on Wednesday (April 3) for the Georgia contest, as 1,402 fans squeezed into the bleachers to watch the game.
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Terence Norman belted a grand slam against UNCW for the first this season for the Owls.
• Kennesaw State has launched 36 dingers through 45 games this season, which ranks second in the ASUN and 103rd in the nation. The Owls are led by
Garrett Hodges, who has six moon shots.
•  Head Coach
Mike Sansing recorded another milestone in his career on Wednesday night against PC. With the win over PC, he captured his 1,000th win as the KSU skipper.
•  The Owls rank 34th in the country in sacrifice bunts, laying down 31 through 45 contests. This figure ranks third in the ASUN.
Pitchers
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Monty Horn has been lights out this season coming out of the pen. He gave up his first  earned run of the season against Lipscomb. He has pitched in 10.0 innings pitched and has struck out 15.
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Jake Rothwell has been featured as the Sunday starter for the Owls. The past two Sunday's have featured Rothwell on the mound. He has 9.1 innings pitched with six strikeouts over his last two performances.Â
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Brooks Buckler has been a unit on the mound this season for the Owls and has pitched at least 6.0 innings in his last seven starts. He has unbeatable command as well - striking out 47 with just 13 walks on the year. His strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks second in the conference Â
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Jared Rine has been effective coming out of the bullpen for the Owls. As just a freshman, he as 30.1 innings pitched and has given up just seven earned runs . He has 37 punchouts on the year, and has allowed just 22 hits. His best outing come against FGCU, where he pitched 5.0 innings of one-hit ball.
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Jared Staples has been the most familiar arm on the pitching staff this season, as he leads the team with 17 appearances. He has been effective in his 18.0 innings pitched, ranking sixth on the team in ERA (3.50) while recording 17 strikeouts. He has not seen action since April 22 against Georgia State and recorded just two appearances since April 7,
•  The Bullpen has stayed balanced for the Owls this season, as 11 Owls have 10 or more appearances this season.Â
•  After not pitching until March 6 against Georgia Tech,
Deviner McCray recorded 11 outings since March 6. After surrendering just one earned run in his first eight outings, he gave up three against Georgia Southern.
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Jake McLinskey has been a durable arm for the Owls so far. Of his 15 appearances on the year, he has a four starts. He has recorded a pair of wins and struck out 36 batters in 34.0 innings of work. He recorded his career-high in innings and strikeouts against North Alabama in his Friday start.
Outfielders
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Garrett Hodges has been an anchor in the Owls outfield and at the plate. He has two multi-home run games and is batting .277 this season. He leads the Owls and is third in the ASUN with six no-doubters and is tied for sixth in RBIs with 33. He is looking to find his swing back after batting at a .241 clip in ASUN play.
•  After newcomer
Alex Carballo had a dazzling debut for the Owls during opening weekend, in which he batted .417 with a home run, two RBIs and logged a team-high .667 slugging percentage, he has struggled to find his touch at the plate. He is batting .136 in conference play.
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Terence Norman has been a terror for opposing pitchers this season. His .351 average ranks second in the ASUN and his 59 hits rank third. He has been mashing during ASUN play, hitting at a .391 clip.Â
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Jake Franklin has been making an impact in the outfield this season, starting 11 games in center field and one game in right and left.
Infielders
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Jake Franklin has been incredible this season. On the season, he is slashing .309/.565/.401. He also has stole six bases and has collected 32 RBIs. Against NJIT, he hit .389 with seven RBIs.
•  A.J. Willoughby has been seeing the field more often as of late. He started each game against FGCU in the field and played two games at first base against Stetson.Â
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Jaylen Smith has been a staple in the Owls lineup this season. He is fourth on the team in at-bats (164). He had a great weekend against NJIT, where he batted .700 with seven hits and six RBIs.
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Justin Russell has taken advantage of the DH role this season. He is batting .324 with five home runs and nine doubles. He also plays first base when needed. He was amazing against NJIT, when he bat .429 with two home runs, seven RBIs and slugged 1.000. Â
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Tyler Simon has found his bat over during ASUN play. He put it together against NJIT, when he bat .467 against the Highlanders. He has also hit a home run in three-straight series.
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David Chabut has put together an impressive senior campaign. He has started all but one game, and is hitting .280 with four doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs. He is also second on the team with 94 assists in the field. Â
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Daniel Seres and
Tyler Tolve have split time behind the dish this season. Seres has been impressive in the field, boasting a .978 fielding percentage. He also hit two home runs in the second game against Binghamton.
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Tyler Tolve is making his mark early in his Owl career. In his first season donning black and gold, he is hitting at a .288 clip with 13 RBIs and three double.
Series History
• These ASUN foes have met just four times before 2019, with Liberty holding a 3-1 advantage.