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KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State baseball team capped off a weekend to remember with a 10-5 win against No. 24 Georgia Tech on Sunday at the Stillwell Stadium, securing the series win. This marks the first time in program history the Owls have beaten the Yellow Jackets twice in one season.
Georgia Tech (21-18) jumped out in front with a leadoff homer, but Kennesaw State's (26-13, 12-3) four-run first inning set the tone for what was an impressive offensive day for the Owls.
Terence Norman tied the game 1-1 with a double to the gap in right-center field, bringing Alex Carballo all the way around from first base. Designated hitter Nick Hassan slapped a pitch down the left-field line for a one-run two-bagger of his own. Skylar McPhee then stepped up to plate without an extra-base hit on the season. That all changed when the first baseman dropped a bomb into left-center field for his first career home run; the two-run shot extended the KSU lead to 4-1.
That scoreline remained until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Tyler Simon walked into the batter's box with runners at the corners. The shortstop blooped a hit into shallow left field to plate Kennesaw State's fifth run of the game.
Despite Tech taking him yard to begin the game, starting pitcher Ryan Kennedy buckled down to pitch another incredible outing for the hosts. The reigning ASUN Pitcher of the Week threw 5.1 innings, allowing only one run off of four hits. The leftie from Winchester, Va. is now 6-0 on the season, winning all five of his last starts.
Kolby Johnson came in to relieve Kennedy of his duties, and the Yellow Jackets began to find their feet in the top of the seventh inning. A one-run double and a two-run home run saw the No. 24-ranked team in the nation within one run. With a runner at second base, a double was hit to center field and the runner was waved home. Carballo fielded the ball and found Tyler Tolve at the plate perfectly to get the runner for an inning-ending out.
The Owls found themselves in an advantageous position after loading the bases in the bottom frame. Simon capitalized once again with a line drive on the first pitch he saw to score a run and shift everyone over a base. Tolve followed suit with a base knock of his own to center field. Carballo made it an 8-4 game with a fielder's choice, giving Johnson more room to work with.
The home team managed to get two more runners on before third baseman Jake Coro came to bat. The transfer from Southern New Hampshire drove a triple off the batter's eye to score the two prospective runs and push the lead to 10-4.
A KSU win was all but certain and Kolby Johnson collected the final three outs for his sixth save of the season, moving him into second among the ASUN rankings. The 10-5 win caps the fifth series win in a row for Kennesaw State.
The Owls get back to business with another midweek meeting against the Mercer Bears, this time taking place in Macon, Ga. at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
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.
