By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball and UNC-Wilmington match up for the second time in series history this weekend at Brooks Field in North Carolina. The two teams will play a three-game set beginning on Friday afternoon.
The Rundown
Opponent: UNCW Seahawks (7-5)
Dates: Mar. 11-13
Site: Brooks Field; Wilmington, N.C.
2022 Schedule: Click Here
Probable Starters
GAME ONE – Friday
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
KSU: Jack Myers (0-1, 15.0 IP, 4.80 ERA)
UNCW: Brett Banks (0-1 11.2 IP, 7.71 ERA)
Live Stats |
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GAME TWO – Saturday
First Pitch: 4:00 p.m.
KSU: John Bezdicek (3-0, 15.0 IP, 0.60 ERA)
UNCW: RJ Sales (0-1, 11.2 IP, 9.58 ERA)
Live Stats |
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GAME THREE – Sunday
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
KSU: Connor Housley (0-1, 8.1 IP, 6.48 ERA)
UNCW: Matt Gaither (1-1, 18.0 IP, 3.00 ERA)
Live Stats |
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HOT START
Kennesaw State won eight of its first 10 games this season for the first time since 2011. This feat has only been accomplished twice in the program's Division I history.
A NEW LOOK
The
Ryan Coe era begins with many new faces on the diamond in 2022. KSU has 23 players that are in their first year with the baseball program. This accounts for 58% of the team's roster.
ASUN STARS
All-ASUN selections
Tyler Simon and
Cash Young have made key impacts during the first 12 games of play. Simon recorded three hits in last night's game at Wofford and is tied for the team-lead with three stolen bases. Young currently leads the KSU offense in both home runs (3) and RBI (12). His three home runs currently rank second in the ASUN.
Mr. Multi Hit
Zac Corbin has put on a clinic to start the 2022 slate. The sophomore outfielder has collected hits in 10-of-12 games this season with six multi-hit performances. Corbin leads KSU with a .400 batting average which is tied for fourth in the ASUN.
#HE's-a-freshman
In the fourth game of the season,
Hudson Mimbs made the first start of his collegiate career and never looked back. The second baseman sits tied for fourth in the ASUN in batting with a .400 average and ranks first among qualified freshmen. Mimbs also collected the first home run of his career last Friday at Troy.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Table Setters
Josh Hatcher – Hatcher has made 12 starts this season and has hit in the leadoff spot each game. The outfielder hits at a .333 clip and leads the team in doubles. Hatcher is tied for the team-lead in stolen bases and holds a .382 OBP. The senior is a main cog in the offense that averages 10 hits per game.
Zac Corbin – Corbin leads the team in batting with a .400 average. The outfielder serves as the three-hole in a dynamic lineup and has registered a hit in ten of the twelve KSU games this season. The sophomore also leads the team with six multi-hit games.
Donovan Cash – Cash can be found anywhere in the KSU lineup. The sophomore has started in ten games and holds a .351 batting average. Cash currently gets on base at a .400 clip and is tied for fourth on the team with 13 hits.
Power
Cash Young – Young leads the Owl offense in both home runs (3) and RBI (13). The senior belted two home runs against Fairfield and each either tied the game or gave KSU the lead. Young saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end in the series finale at Troy on Sunday, but has gotten on-base in 10 straight.
Nick Hassan – Hassan bats cleanup for the KSU offense and is tied for third on the team with four doubles. The KSU catcher has recorded hits in eight-of-nine games this season.
SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS
Table Setters
Brooks Baldwin – Baldwin leads the Seahawks with a .415 average in 12 starts. The junior was selected in the 15
th round of last year's MLB Draft but returned to UNC-Wilmington. Baldwin currently leads the team with a .450 OBP.
Trevor Marsh – Marsh is hitting .293 on the year and leads the team in doubles with six. The sophomore outfielder has posted back-to-back multi-hit games and currently rides a three-game hit streak into this weekend.
Power
Dillon Lifrieri – Lifrieri provides the pop in the middle of the Seahawk lineup. The outfielder leads the team in both home runs (four) and RBI (14). He is hitting at a .277 clip and is second on the team in runs scored with 11.
ON DECK
KSU visits Auburn for a midweek matchup at Plainsman Park. The Tigers currently lead the all-time series, 6-3, and have won the last two contests. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT).
For more information on Kennesaw State baseball, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlsBaseball or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
