By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball hits the road for its final midweek game of the 2022 season. Earlier in the year, the Owls defeated the Spartans in extra innings on a walk-off single from
Tyler Simon.
KSU currently holds a 22-6 lead in the all-time series.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (30-22) at USC Upstate Spartans (32-19)
Date: May 17
Site: Cleveland S. Harley Park; Spartanburg, S.C.
TV: ESPN+
2022 Schedule: Click Here
Probable Starters
GAME ONE – Tuesday
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m.
KSU: Makenzie Stills (1-1, 8.42 ERA)
UPST: TBA
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IT'S MONEY TIME
Donovan Cash has exploded onto the scene in his first year as a starter. The first baseman leads the team in multi-hit performances (26) and is second in batting average (.376). Earlier today, Cash was named the ASUN Player of the Week for his 12 hits and four home runs from May 11-15.
TOP-10 IN THE NATION
Josh Hatcher is currently top-10 in the nation in two offensive categories. The KSU center fielder ranks fourth in hits (86) and sixth in doubles (22). Hatcher is also only two doubles away from tying the KSU single season record which was set by
Max Pentecost in 2014.
POWER SURGE
In the series opener against Jacksonville (April 22),
Cash Young became the second player in KSU history to hit three home runs in a single game. The third baseman went on a tear and compiled 10 home runs in a 13-game stretch. Young leads the team with 15 total and has tied the Kennesaw State single-season home run record.
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.
THE QUADRUPLE DOUBLE
On Mar. 18 versus Jacksonville, KSU center fielder
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.
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.
HATCHER HITS 200
Against No. 16 UGA (May 3),
Josh Hatcher lined a single to right field in his third at-bat to record his 200th career hit. The Mississippi State transfer has tallied a team-high 86 hits this year and compiled 126 during his first four years in the SEC.
HOW SWEEP IT IS
After sweeping Stetson, Kennesaw State has collected three ASUN Conference sweeps on the season. KSU opened conference play by sweeping Jacksonville and North Florida in weeks one and two. The Stetson sweep allowed the Owls to be the first team in the ASUN to reach the 10-win 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.
ON DECK
KSU heads to Liberty for its final ASUN series of the season. The Owls sit in second place in the ASUN East Division and aim to take over the top spot this weekend. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. Thursday night on Worthington Field at the Liberty Baseball 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.
