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KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State baseball team (12-8, 4-2) edged out the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-11) in a high-scoring 12-10 game on Wednesday night at Stillwell Stadium.
The Owls got right down to business in the first inning, as Alex Carballo shot a no-doubter over the right-field wall to give his team an early 2-0 lead. Tyler Simon began his hot night in the same frame, chopping a pitch through the middle of the diamond to score Garrett Hodges from second base in the four-run inning.
Jacksonville State didn't take long to respond, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning to make it a 4-3 game.
UNC transfer Andrew Grogan came in to relieve starter Gage Vailes in the fourth inning and earned the decision after four innings. The right-handed pitcher struck out five hitters and let up four runs on only three hits.
After walking with the bases loaded in the second inning, Simon knocked in his third run with a double down the left field line. The shortstop would cross the plate himself when Gavin Patel replicated his left-field double, extending the KSU lead to 7-3 after four innings.
Taking the designated hitter and clean-up slots, Hodges plated his lone RBI with a double to right center in the fifth inning. A Skylar McPhee sacrifice fly and a one-run base hit from left fielder Nick Colina ended the fifth with Kennesaw State leading 10-4.
The Gamecocks wouldn't give up, hitting a three-run double in the seventh inning before cutting their deficit to two runs in the eighth inning.
Jacksonville State came up to bat for the ninth inning, and Head Coach Mike Sansing called on closer Kolby Johnson to stamp out the Gamecocks' rally back. The outing started as a tough one for the sophomore, letting up a one-run single up the middle after allowing two baserunners. Johnson began to bear down, getting three outs in a row to tie the ASUN lead for saves with his fourth of the season.
The Kennesaw State Owls take a 12-10 win against Jacksonville State into a four-game series against the Georgia State Panthers. The Owls will open up two-games at the GSU Baseball Complex on Friday, before hosting the Panthers at Stillwell Stadium on Sunday and Monday.
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.
