Box Score (PDF)
 
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Kennesaw State baseball team scraped together seven hits but stranded six runners on base in a 7-1 loss to West Virginia Friday afternoon in game one of the Brittain Resorts Invitational.
 
West Virginia (4-1) wasted no time throwing up a four spot in the first inning and added two more runs in the third frame to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
 
The Owls (3-2) used stellar relief pitching from Ty Butler and Jared Staples to give Kennesaw State a chance, combining to toss four consecutive scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
 
KSU mounted a rally in the seventh inning as Malik Spratling singled to left field to bring home Justin Russell and put the Owls on the board. With two on and no outs, the Owls threatened to cut further into the Mountaineer lead, but West Virginia left hander Jackson Wolf retired the next three KSU hitters to end the threat.
 
West Virginia added an insurance run in the eighth inning to secure a 7-1 victory. Ryan Kennedy (1-1) suffered his first loss of the year, while Wolf (2-0) earned the win. Nick Hassan recorded his second multi-hit game of the year with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate.
 
The Owls return to action Saturday morning, taking on Western Carolina at 11 a.m. on day two of the Brittain Resorts Invitational.