By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball travels to Florida Gulf Coast for a battle of the top-two teams in the ASUN Conference Eastern Division. The Owls are off to their best conference start in program history and aim to extend the team's five-game win streak.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (17-7) at Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (18-7)
Dates: Apr. 1-3
Site: Swanson Stadium; Fort Myers, Fla.
2022 Schedule: Click Here
Probable Starters
GAME ONE – Friday
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.
KSU: Jack Myers (1-1, 29.0 IP, 4.34 ERA)
FGCU: Jason Woodward (3-1, 32.2 IP, 1.93 ERA)
Live Stats |
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GAME TWO – Saturday
First Pitch: 2:00 p.m.
KSU: John Bezdicek (3-1, 28.1 IP, 2.54 ERA)
FGCU: Tyler Shuck (4-1 32.0 IP, 2.81 ERA)
Live Stats |
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GAME THREE – Sunday
First Pitch: 12:00 p.m.
KSU: Brayden Eidson (2-0, 16.2 IP, 1.62 ERA)
FGCU: Najer Victor (4-0, 28.1, 2.22 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.
THE TALK OF THE NATION
After his incredible five-game stretch last week,
Josh Hatcher received four national player of the week awards. The KSU centerfielder finished 12-for-24 with three doubles, three triples and two home runs. Hatcher scored seven runs and drove in 11 on the week.
CYCLING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS ... TWICE
Against No. 12 Georgia Tech on Mar. 23,
Josh Hatcher became the first Owl in the program's Division I history to hit for the cycle. Hatcher finished the game 4-for-6 with two RBI. Two games later, Hatcher hit for the cycle again in a 4-for-6 performance versus UNF.
2 GETS #200
In a 4-for-6 performance against No. 12 Georgia Tech, senior
Tyler Simon became the 10th player in KSU history to reach the 200-hit milestone. The shortstop achieved the feat in his 191st game wearing the Black and Gold.
THE QUADRUPLE DOUBLE
On Mar. 18 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 18-game hit streak heading into Tuesday.
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 18-of-24 games this season with nine multi-hit performances. Corbin is third on the team with a .345 average and hit his first career home run, a grand slam, last weekend.
#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 20 starts.
BLAZING BATS
The bats have been on fire for the KSU offense through the first part of the new season. The Owls are averaging 10.1 hits per game and 6.58 runs scored through the first 24 contests. Last weekend, KSU compiled 47 hits and 40 runs in its three-game series with UNF.
ON DECK
KSU travels to Georgia Southern for an in-state matchup against the Eagles. The teams are set to meet on Tuesday, Apr. 6, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside J.I. Clements Stadium.
For more information on Kennesaw State baseball, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlsBaseball or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
