Box Score (XML)
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State baseball team (10-5, 3-0) completed the sweep of Bellarmine (3-10, 0-3) in a high-scoring affair on Sunday afternoon, as Terence Norman contributed six RBIs to the Owls' 17-8 win over the Knights in Stillwell Stadium.
Already down 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Norman hit a three-run shot over the right-field wall to give his hometown team a 3-2 lead. Nick Hassan, the catcher for the day as Tyler Tolve played in left field, capped the four-run first inning with an RBI double.
After the Owls surrendered their lead in the top of the inning, Norman stepped up again with a single through the left side to score Tolve and Gavin Patel in the bottom of the fourth. With Alex Carballo and Norman on base, the third of KSU's veteran triumvirate Garrett Hodges smacked a big fly over the Stillwell fence to establish a 9-5 lead.
Norman doubled to left-center field in the sixth inning to plate Carballo for his sixth RBI on the afternoon; the right fielder went 3-6 on Sunday and now sits atop the ASUN rankings for RBis with 19. Kennesaw State would score four more runs in the frame off of a two-run base hit from Tyler Simon and two runs would score on a fielder's choice from the bat of Jesse Sherrill.
A transfer from UNC, Andrew Grogan would make his first appearance of the season and grab the win. The graduate pitcher struck out five Knights in five innings of work as he was able to keep the Bellarmine bats relatively quiet.
Kolby Johnson has made a reputation for himself as the Owls' closer, but came into Sunday's finale without the opportunity for a save to slam the door shut on the conference series. The six-foot-one sophomore maintained his perfect 0.00 ERA on the season as he confirmed a 17-8 win for Kennesaw State.
The Owls move to 10-5 on the season, with the team ending the weekend with a sweep against the Bellarmine Knights and a flawless 3-0 record in the ASUN.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
