By: Russ Lockridge
UP NEXT TO PLATE
The Kennesaw State baseball team welcomes in-state competitor Mercer (23-16, 10-5) in a Wednesday game against the Macon, Ga. program. The two teams last met on May 8, 2019 when catcher Tyler Tolve hit three-for-five with two RBIs in the 8-5 win for the Owls.
Opponent: Mercer
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Stillwell Stadium
Date: Wednesday, April 28
Time: 5:00 p.m. EST
Starting Pitching
KSU: RHP Andrew Grogan (3-1, 7.25 ERA)
MER: RHP Josh Farmer (4-0, 4.46 ERA)
Live Stats | Watch
LAST TIME OUT
The Kennesaw State Owls (24-11, 12-3) are coming off of taking two games out of three from Lipscomb. KSU's pitching staff was lights out in its two wins, with Jake Rice, Ryan Kennedy and Jared Rine allowing a total of two runs over 18 innings.
KING KENNEDY
Kennedy won the ASUN Pitcher of the Week on Monday after tossing a seven-inning complete game shutout with a career-high nine strikeouts in Sunday's 7-0 win.
The six-foot-two leftie has had a resurgence in the last month after his early season struggles that saw him with a 13.50 ERA on March 7th. Since March 23rd, Kennedy is 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in five starts for the Owls.
SENIOR SLUGGING
Senior Terence Norman played a huge part in the Owls's two wins against Lipscomb. Norman had four hits in the series, including a grand slam and six RBIs in the three games played.
Norman now leads the club with seven round trippers on the year and is now third in the ASUN in home runs.
ACE UP OUR SLEEVE
Jake Rice continued to dominate his opponents' lineups after he picked up another win on Friday against Lipscomb. His seventh win of the season is good for first in the ASUN.
The Birmingham, Ala native went six and a third innings while scattering six hits and giving up two runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts. The leftie was perfect through five innings until he gave up a leadoff single in the sixth.
RINE'S RELIEF
Rine came in to relieve Rice in Friday's win and showed why he is Head Coach Mike Sansing's first option out of the bullpen.
The six-foot-four sophomore came in with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and one out. Rine ended the inning with two quick outs in the outfield off of six pitches.
SPEEDY SHERRILL
Second baseman Jesse Sherill keeps showing the Owl faithful just how many tools he keeps in his toolbox.
The Floridian continues to lead the conference in stolen bases with 12 and double plays turned with 27.
Sherrill also hit the first home run of his college career against Georgia Southern last Wednesday and did so in spectacular fashion. The middle infielder took a 5-3 lead for the home team with a grand slam. It was the first four-run home run hit by an Owl since Norman on April 6, 2019 against UNCW.
