By: Michael Goss
Box Score
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Jack Myers' dominant start lifted the Kennesaw State baseball team to an 8-5 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night inside Swanson Stadium. With the victory, KSU extended its win streak to six games and improved to a perfect 7-0 in ASUN Conference play.
Myers (2-1) went a season-long seven innings and allowed only two earned runs. The right-hander posted a season-best, eight strikeouts and allowed only six hits. The Owls' Friday night starter has earned the win in back-to-back appearances and registered his third quality start on the season.
With the Owls (18-7, 7-0 ASUN) leading by one in the sixth,
Josh Hatcher belted a grand slam to right field to increase the Kennesaw State lead to 7-2. The home run marked the third of the year for the KSU outfielder and extended his hit streak to a season-high 20 games.
Hatcher finished 1-for-4 and has reached base safely in 24 straight. In tonight's contest, he registered his fifth multi-RBI game of the year which is tied for first on the team.
The Kennesaw State offense posted its sixth consecutive game with at least 10 hits. The Owls finished with 14 on the night and had eight-of-nine starters record at least one hit.
Third baseman
Cash Young led the way and recorded three hits for the first time this season. The KSU infielder went 3-for-5 with a solo home run.
Tyler Simon was a tough out in the two-spot of the order. The senior finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored. With his double in the fifth, Simon extended his hitting streak to a season-long eight games.
Donovan Cash registered his team-leading 11th multi-hit game. The first basemen went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Cash has now doubled in five consecutive games in the cleanup spot.
Kennesaw State got on the board early when Young connected for his fourth long ball of the season. The Eagles (18-8, 5-2 ASUN) answered and scored two in the bottom of the third to move ahead 2-1.
The Owls added one run in each of the next two innings to retake the lead. In the fourth,
Hudson Mimbs lined a two-out single up the middle to bring home
Nick Hassan and tie the game at 2. Mimbs finished the day 2-for-4 and has posted six RBI over his last four games.
KSU jumped ahead in the top of the fifth when Simon and
Zac Corbin laced back-to-back doubles down the left and right field lines, respectively.
FGCU added three more runs in the eighth to pull within three, but
Jared Rine came in to close the door. The right-hander earned the four-out save to tally his fifth on the year.
Kennesaw State is back in action tomorrow for game two of its series with Florida Gulf Coast. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. inside Swanson Stadium.
To keep up with the latest on the Kennesaw State baseball team, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook and Instagram.
