By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball and Georgia Tech play twice this week, with each team hosting one game at its home park. The Owls took two-of-three games from the Yellow Jackets last season and look to continue their recent success against the in-state foe.
The Rundown
Matchup: #12 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (15-5) at Kennesaw State Owls (12-6)
Dates: Mar. 22-23
Site: Stillwell Stadium (3/22); Russ Chandler Stadium (3/23)
Game Notes: KSU
2022 Schedule: Click Here
Probable Starters
GAME ONE – Tuesday
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m.
KSU: TBA
GT: TBA
Live Stats |
Watch
GAME TWO – Wednesday
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m.
KSU: TBA
GT: TBA
Live Stats |
Watch on ACC Network
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.
THE QUADRUPLE DOUBLE
In Friday night's game versus Jacksonville, KSU centerfielder
Josh Hatcher became the first player in Owl history to record four doubles in one game. The leadoff hitter finished the game 5-for-5 and compiled eight hits on the series. Hatcher currently holds a 13-game hit streak heading into Tuesday.
CHASE FOR 200
Senior
Tyler Simon is three hits away from 200 on his collegiate career. The shortstop is looking to become the 8th player in KSU history to surpass the 200-hit mark.
DIAMOND DEBUTS
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.
MR. MULTI HIT
Zac Corbin has put on a clinic to start the 2022 slate. The sophomore outfielder has collected hits in 13-of-18 games this season with six multi-hit performances. Corbin is third on the team with a .333 average.
#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 collected the first home run of his career at Troy and has compiled 14 starts.
IT'S T-SHIRT TIME
Kennesaw State baseball is proud to announce that Tuesday's game will be the first shirt swap of the year. The first 150 students who bring another college's shirt to the game will receive a limited edition KSU vs. GT shirt.
GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
The Georgia Army National Guard is proud to sponsor tomorrow's game between the Owls and Yellow Jackets. First pitch will be thrown by Sergeant First Class Daniel D. Hunter and the national anthem will be performed by Jackson Gilbeau.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Table Setters
Josh Hatcher – Hatcher has made 18 starts this season and has hit in the leadoff spot each game. The outfielder hits at a .382 clip and leads the team in doubles (10). Hatcher is second on the team in stolen bases (four) and holds a .427 OBP. The senior is a main cog in the offense that averages 9 hits per game.
Zac Corbin – Corbin is third on the team in batting with a .333 average. The outfielder serves as the three-hole in a dynamic lineup and has registered a hit in 13 of the 18 KSU games this season. The sophomore is also tied for the team lead with six multi-hit games.
Donovan Cash – Cash can be found anywhere in the KSU lineup. The sophomore has started in 16 games and holds a .351 batting average. Cash currently gets on base at a .406 clip and is tied for second on the team with 20 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 but reached base safely in 15 straight games to start the year.
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 11-of-14 starts this season.
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Table Setters
Tres Gonzalez – Gonzalez hits at the top of the lineup for the Yellow Jackets. The outfielder holds a .347 batting average and is tied for the team lead with six doubles. Gonzalez is a tough out with a great eye for the strike zone. He currently leads GT with 17 walks.
Andrew Jenkins – Jenkins is a middle-of-the-order bat for Georgia Tech. The first baseman is hitting .363 on the year and has five home runs and five doubles to his credit. Jenkins started 40 games as a freshman last season and is an experienced player in the heart of the Yellow Jacket lineup.
Power
Kevin Parada – Parada is off to an incredible start to the 2022 season. The catcher has belted eight home runs and hold a .400 batting average through his first 20 starts. Parada leads the Yellow Jackets with 30 RBI and gets on base at a .495 clip.
ON DECK
KSU welcomes North Florida to Stillwell Stadium for its first home ASUN Conference series of 2022. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 25. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking
here.
For more information on Kennesaw State baseball, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlsBaseball or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
