By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
UP NEXT TO PLATE
The Kennesaw State baseball team (7-5) returns home to Stillwell Stadium for a three-game series against ASUN newcomer Bellarmine (3-7). After they were edged out in a high-scoring game against Western Carolina, the Owls begin conference play against the Louisville, Ky. team on Friday. The Sunday game will not be available for streaming.
Opponent: Bellarmine Knights
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Stillwell Stadium
GAME ONE:
Date: Friday, March 12
Time: 4 p.m. EST
Starting Pitching
KSU: Jake Rice (3-0, 0.00 ERA)
BEL: TBA
Watch | Live Stats
GAME TWO:
Date: Saturday, March 13
Time: 2 p.m. EST
Starting Pitching
KSU: Luke Torbert (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
BEL: TBA
Watch | Live Stats
GAME THREE:
Date: Sunday, March 14
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Starting Pitching
KSU: Makenzie Stills (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
BEL: TBA
Live Stats
NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT NORMAN
With six RBIs in his last three games, right fielder Terence Norman now sits fifth in the ASUN's rankings for runs-batted-in. It all started when the senior blasted a three-run shot over the left-field wall of UAB's Young Memorial Field in the Saturday game against the Blazers.
His .289 batting average currently sits second on the team among batters with at least 10 at bats, while his slugging percentage is unmatched in the KSU lineup.
The Kennesaw, Ga. hometown hero will look to extend his five-game hitting streak against the Knights, last being held hitless in the win against then-ranked No. 5 Georgia.
RISE OF RICE
Jake Rice could not be touched in his first three starts of the season. The graduate pitcher holds a perfect 0.00 ERA with a 3-0 win-loss record and a .125 opposing batting average.
The Birmingham, Ala. native returned home for a dominant win against UAB, where Rice pitched seven innings of shutout ball while striking out six. The six-foot-one leftie currently shares the league lead in ERA and wins; his season tally of 20 strikeouts is currently the third best in the ASUN.
Rice has solidified himself as the ace of the KSU pitching staff, becoming the first choice as a starting pitcher for both the UAB and Bellarmine series.
SPEEDY SHERRILL
Second baseman Jesse Sherrill continues to build his reputation in the good graces of Owl fans with his spectacular play.
His .364 batting average is the only rate above .300 among batters with 10 at-bats or higher.
Even when the Gordon State transfer doesn't get a hit on the day, Sherrill getting on base is still a sure thing. There is no better example than the 8-7 loss last Sunday against UAB, where the middle infielder got no hits on one at-bat; that's because Sherrill drew four walks in that game.
The speedster is not exactly someone that oppositions would want on the basepath, as he shares the ASUN lead for stolen bags with five.
PERFECT PATEL
Gavin Patel has inserted himself into the starting lineup for the Owls, becoming a staple at the hot corner.
Just like his former Gordon State teammate Sherrill, Patel has impressed with his appearances at the plate; this is in spite of the redshirt sophomore's relatively small sample size.
In nine at-bats, the infielder from Moultrie, Ga. has four hits for five RBIs.
It will be interesting to see if Head Coach Mike Sansing will call on Patel again, as Jake Coro has also had some quality starts at third base.
