By: Miles Lally
Game Notes
KENNESAW, Ga. - After suffering their first defeat of the season against No. 5 UGA the Owls look to bounce back this weekend at the Brittain Resort Invitational where they will play West Virginia, Western Carolina, and Coastal Carolina.
Opponent: West Virginia / Western Carolina / Coastal Carolina
Date: Feb. 21, 22, 23
Time: 3 p.m. / 11 a.m. / 12 p.m.
Location: Game 1: TicketReturn.com Field | Games 2 & 3: Springs Brooks Stadium
Live Stats (vs. West Virginia)
Live Stats (vs. Western Carolina)
Live Stats /
Watch (vs. Coastal Carolina)
Pitching Matchups
Friday
KSU | LHP Ryan Kennedy
WVU | LHP Jackson Wolf
Saturday
KSU | RHP Gage Vailes
WCU | RHP Chase Walter
Sunday
KSU | RHP Jared Rine
CCU | RHP Nick Parker
TOP STORYLINES
• The Owls suffered their first loss of the season against No. 5 UGA, falling 11-3, bringing their overall record to 3-1. KSU finished the game with four hits and three errors.
• Alex Carballo is leading the ASUN with nine RBIs and is second in batting average (.500) through the first week of the season; he also ranks third with a .917 slugging percentage.
• Tyler Tolve is second on the team in total RBI's for the season with seven, batting in another run against UGA. Tolve is also tied for first in the conference in total hits with seven.
• Luke Torbert impressed in his first start of the season as the Wednesday starter. Torbert struck out six in his 3.0 innings pitched, putting him tied for ninth in the conference in total strikeouts.
• KSU entered the 2020 season after a 27-29 record in 2019, which included a win over eventual regional host West Virginia, and Head Coach Mike Sansing's 1,000th win at Kennesaw State (March 13 vs. Presbyterian, 7-3).
• Outfielder Terence Norman was selected as the Preseason ASUN Player of the Year. The senior led the conference in batting average in 2019 (.350) on his way to earning First Team All-Conference honors.
• Justin Russell joined Norman on the Preseason All-Conference list after having an impactful season in his first as an Owl in 2019. He mashed 12 home runs last season and hit .308. He was mesmerizing at the plate in league play, knocking in 25 runs while collecting 30 hits, which ranked second and sixth, respectfully.
• The Owls will start the same rotation of pitchers this weekend from the first series of the year. 2019 Saturday starter Ryan Kennedy will see action on Friday, while newcomer Gage Vailes will see work on Saturday and sophomore Jared Rine will throw on Sunday.
• In his first start of the season, Ryan Kennedy pitched 5.0 innings, allowing no runs on just three hits.
• Sophomore Tyler Tolve is primed for a breakout season in his second year as an Owl after impressing in the second half of 2019. The catcher finished the year batting .328 and slugged .420.
• The Owls will depend on shortstop Tyler Simon in 2020. Last season, he finished the ASUN slate batting .378, which ended as the conference's fifth-best mark. He also recorded 153 assists, which ranked second in the league. He earned his way onto the 2019 Second Team All-Conference list.
• Coach Sansing welcomed Travis McClanahan as Kennesaw State's pitching coach in 2020. McClanahan completed 18 seasons as the head coach at Gordon State College before his tenure as an Owl. There, he mentored 2019 15th round draft pick Adam Leverett, who went to the Phillies.
• The Owls' schedule is home-heavy, as expected, as Kennesaw State plays host to 31 baseball games throughout the season.
