Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball scored five runs in its final two innings to down Western Carolina, 8-5, on Wednesday night inside Stillwell Stadium. With the win, the Owls (28-21, 15-9) take a 10-9 lead in the all-time series versus the Catamounts (24-24, 8-7).
In a tie game in the seventh inning, third baseman Cash Young ripped a three-run homer to right field to give Kennesaw State the lead late in the game. The home run was the third baseman's 14th of the year and is one shy of tying the program's Division I record.
The KSU pitching staff threw five different pitchers and surrendered only seven hits. Makenzie Stills got the start and tied his season-long with four innings.
Smith Pinson (5-3) earned the win out of the bullpen. The right-hander entered in the seventh and threw 1.1 innings without allowing a baserunner.
For the 28th time on the year, the KSU offense compiled double-digit hits. The offense collected 13 total, while three Owls added multi-hit performances.
Donovan Cash set a new career high with four hits in the contest. The first baseman finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored. He currently leads the team with 23 multi-hit games.
Josh Hatcher paced the offense out of the leadoff spot and registered hits in 3-of-5 at-bats. The center fielder ripped his 21st double and is only three shy of the KSU single-season record with seven regular-season games remaining.
Tyler Simon added another solid performance with a 2-for-5 night. Tonight's game marked the 220th of his collegiate career and is 11 away from breaking the Kennesaw State record for most games played.
Zac Corbin and Spencer Hanson each recorded one hit in the ballgame. Corbin walked twice and scored two runs while Hanson registered his seventh double of the season.
Kennesaw State got on the board with two runs in the third inning. Brayden Eidson was hit by a pitch to lead off and advanced to third when Hatcher legged out an infield single. Simon followed with a ground ball through the left side to bring home the first run of the game. One batter later, Corbin recorded an RBI on a sacrifice fly to move the score to 2-0.
Western Carolina took the lead in the sixth with a three-run inning. Drew Needham hit a bases-clearing double to give the Catamounts a 4-2 advantage.
In the ensuing frame, the Owls took advantage of an error by the WCU pitcher to make it a one run game. Eidson hit a comebacker that was thrown away at first base and allowed Hudson Mimbs to score from second.
In the bottom of the seventh, KSU regained the lead with a four-run inning. Hatcher led off with his 21st double of the year and scored on a Cash RBI single. After a WCU pitching change, Young sent the first pitch over the right field wall for a three-run homer.
The Owls added to the lead with one run in their final at-bat. Corbin singled then came around to score on a Cash double. Western Carolina scored one run in the ninth to move the score to 8-5 which ended as the final.
KSU is back in action this weekend as the team welcomes Stetson to Stillwell Stadium for its final home series of the 2022 season. The three-game set is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 13 with a 5:00 p.m. first pitch. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
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.
