Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Kennesaw State baseball secured the series over Liberty with a 7-5 victory on Friday night at Worthington Field. With the win, the Owls (32-23, 19-10 ASUN Conference) ended the Flames (32-20, 18-11 ASUN) winning streak of six-consecutive ASUN series.

The win gives KSU its 19th ASUN victory and sets a new program record for most conference wins in a single season. The Owls hold a one-game lead over the Flames for first place in the ASUN Eastern Division with tomorrow's contest being the final game of the regular season.

In his fourth at-bat, Josh Hatcher laced a bases-loaded pitch off the wall in left-center for his 25th double of the year. The hit sets a new Kennesaw State record for most doubles in a single season, previously held by first-round draft pick, Max Pentecost (2014). Hatcher finished the afternoon 1-for-5 and is currently tied for the national lead in the doubles category.

John Bezdicek (4-2) made his 14th start on the mound and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The southpaw surrendered three runs on three hits and struck out six. Bezdicek currently sits at 299 career strikeouts and is one shy of the 300 milestone.

Luke Torbert entered in the sixth and tossed two innings of middle-relief. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits and struck out two. He exited the game with the Owls leading 7-4.

Jared Rine was called upon to collect the final six outs of the game. The right-hander slammed the door en route to his team-leading seventh save. Rine surrendered one run on two hits and posted one strikeout.

For the 33rd time on the year, the Kennesaw State offense registered double-digit hits. The team finished with 11 total and had four starters go for two-or-more.

Tonight's contest marked the 226th game of Tyler Simon's KSU career. He is now four shy of tying the program's career games record. The shortstop added two hits, two runs and one RBI in the contest.

Zac Corbin posted a 2-for-4 evening with a double and two RBI. The outfielder registered his 18th multi-hit game on the season and has drove in eight runs in the last five games.

Donovan Cash went for multi-hits for the 11th time in his last 13 games. The first baseman finished 2-for-5 and extended his hit streak to 11 in the contest.

Brayden Eidson continued to produce in the nine-hole of the lineup. The outfielder contributed two hits and two runs in the win. Eidson has four hits in the first two games of the series.

Nick Hassan and Hudson Mimbs also added base knocks in the contest. Hassan scored twice and recorded one walk while Mimbs scored one run and registered a base on balls.

The Owls jumped out to an early lead with one run in the first. Simon walked and advanced to second on a single from Corbin. Cash then hit a liner just over the glove of a leaping second baseman that brought home the first run and gave KSU a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Kennesaw State scored three runs on three hits. Hassan and Eidson hit back-to-back singles that put men on base for Simon. With two outs, the KSU shortstop reached on an error that brought home Hassan. Corbin followed with a fly ball that got lost in the sun and dropped between three LU players. This scored two more and increased the lead to 4-0.

The Owls worked three-consecutive walks to load the bases in the fifth. On the fourth pitch of his at-bat, Hatcher laced a double off the left-center field wall to drive in two more and extend the score to 6-0. Simon followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Eidson and make it a 7-0 ballgame.

Liberty scored five runs in its final five frames, but Kennesaw State was able to extinguish the comeback attempt.

The Owls are back in action tomorrow versus the Flames for the final game of the regular season. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. 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.