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KENNESAW, Ga. - Star pitchers Jake Rice and Jared Rine were relentless in their efforts tonight, allowing one earned run between them in the Kennesaw State baseball team's 7-2 win against the Lipscomb Bisons Friday night in the Stillwell Stadium.
The Owls (23-10, 11-2) were indefatigable all night, besting the Bisons (12-21, 4-9) both offensively and defensively; it all began in the first inning.
After Rice began his evening with a hitless, seven-pitch inning, Alex Carballo got the offense going with a two-out triple to left-center field. Terence Norman then skied a ball to deep right field, slapping the top of the Stillwell Stadium scoreboard with his second home run in three games.
Taking the early lead in the first inning, Norman's two-run shot moved the outfielder level with catcher Tyler Tolve for the team lead in four-baggers with six.
The Owls weren't done in their opening frame, Garrett Hodges doubled to the left-center gap to score designated hitter Nick Hassan from first base. Hodges would score himself after Tyler Simon knocked a dribbler through the right side, extending the hosts' lead to 4-0.
Rice looked incredibly comfortable on the mound, holding Lipscomb hitless through five innings. Hodges helped his ace relax with a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth inning, tomahawking and lasering a high pitch to the left of the right-field foul pole. The big fly saw the veteran outfielder join Norman and Tolve as the third Owl with six home runs this season.
Rice gave up his first hit and lone earned run in the sixth inning while a defensive error scored a second run for Lipscomb; however, he was able to keep more runs from being scored by catching a Bison looking at a fastball painted on the outside corner for the graduate pitcher's seventh and final strikeout of the night.
Hassan was able to make more ground for his pitcher with a flare to center field, scoring Carballo after the center fielder had stolen second base to take a 6-2 lead for his team in the sixth inning.
Lipscomb began making it difficult for Rice in the seventh inning, as the man from Birmingham, Ala. hit a Bison to load the bases with one out. He gave the ball to his colleague Rine, looking for his fourth save of the season. The reliever was able to make quick work of what was in front of him, earning two outs on five pitches.
This would end Rice's line in what was the Friday starter's ASUN-leading seventh win of the season, also maintaining his grasp on the conference lead in ERA with a 1.54. In his six and one-thirds innings, the former Presbyterian hurler allowed one earned run off of six hits and struck out seven opposing batters.
With Jake Coro bunting Simon across the home plate in the seventh inning, Rine had a 7-2 lead and six outs to put the finishing touches on a series-opening win. Beside a leadoff double in the eighth inning, the Powder Springs, Ga. native pitched flawlessly. Coach Mike Sansing's go-to man from the KSU bullpen struck out three hitters in his one-hit, two and two-third inning save.
The Owls will look for their eighth conference win in a row on Saturday afternoon, with Luke Torbert (5-1, 3.78 ERA) slated to start on the mound at 2 p.m. in Stillwell Stadium.
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.
