BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
DECATUR, Ga. - The Kennesaw State baseball team (14-8, 4-2) won its third game in a row on Saturday afternoon against the Georgia State Panthers (5-19) after the Owls clinched a 7-4 victory in the GSU Baseball Complex.
Owls fans are familiar with Alex Carballo's ability to get his offense going in the first inning, and the center fielder was at it again with a two-run shot to right field. The blast was the senior's third of the year and his second in the last three games.
Kennesaw State would extend its lead to 3-0 in the third inning after Garrett Hodges grounded out to first base with the bases loaded.
The Panthers would cut the lead to 3-2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third, before tying the game on a solo home run in the subsequent inning.
Nick Hassan hit his highest single-game tally of RBIs on Saturday afternoon and he did it with one hit; the catcher cleared loaded bases with a three-run triple to take a 6-3 lead in the fifth inning. The hit would also earn Luke Torbert the decision win, who came out after the fifth inning with four strikeouts and three earned runs.
After hitting two RBIs in Friday's win against Georgia State, Tolve stayed hot with a double down the left-field line to score a speedy Jesse Sherrill. Primarily the Owls' starting catcher, the double was remarkably the KSU left fielder's first double of the season.
Jared Rine came in for Torbert in the sixth inning and maintained his reputation as the Owls' most dependable reliever out of the bullpen. The six-foot-four sophomore let up five hits and one unearned run in three innings of work. The pitcher from Powder Springs, Ga. kept up the form that sees him among the top 10 ERA pitchers in the conference.
The ball was handed to KSU closer Kolby Johnson, who earned his fifth save in as many opportunities. As of Saturday afternoon, Johnson's five saves tie the ASUN lead among closing pitchers.
The Owls will look to win and sweep the series over the next two days, taking a 2-0 series lead back to the Stillwell Stadium. KSU will look to take advantage of the Panthers' play away from home, who are 3-13 outside of the GSU Baseball Complex.
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.
