By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State baseball team got their season off running in an admirable fashion despite dropping the opener 8-7. Their opening day showdown against Saint Louis University went down to the wire, with the Owls' comeback attempt coming up short in the bottom of the ninth.
Luke Torbert started off his 2021 slate slinging, striking out three batters and letting up one base hit in his opening inning.
The back-and-forth scoring between the two teams was a theme all night and it started when Tyler Tolve hit the first home run of KSU's season. Affairs kept getting better for the Owls, as Nick Colina doubled down the right-field line; center fielder Alex Carballo singled Colina home in the next at-bat to give KSU a 2-1 lead.
Kennesaw State's new arrivals contributed to the Owls' success, as the home team tied up the matchup at 3-3 when Jesse Sherrill scored Jake Coro.
The Billikens took a one-run lead once again in the top of the fifth, but that didn't stop Tyler Simon from ripping it back with a two-RBI double down the left-field line.
Saint Louis began to cause serious trouble when they loaded the bases in the sixth inning, luckily the Owls were able to limit the damage to two runs.
The Kennesaw State bats stayed productive and veteran Garrett Hodges doubled down the left-field line to cut the SLU lead to 7-6.
KSU found itself down 8-6 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Owls weren't willing to give up that easy. Terence Norman showed he's still a powerhouse, with his first home run since the 2019 season.
Simon stole second base after getting hit by a pitch, but the Kennesaw State hitters weren't able to bring the shortstop around as the Owls fell to the Billikens 8-7.
