Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – In the semifinals of the ASUN Conference Championship, Kennesaw State baseball earned a hard-fought win over Lipscomb by a score of 6-4 on Friday afternoon at Swanson Stadium. With the win, the Owls (34-26, 19-11 ASUN) advance to their fourth ASUN Championship game in program history and first since 2014.

Donovan Cash stepped to the plate in the seventh with the game tied, 4-4. The first baseman blasted his 10th home run of the year to put the Owls ahead, 6-4. Cash finished the day 3-for-4 and accounted for four of the six KSU runs. The game marked the 18th time the ASUN Freshman of the Year has posted multiple RBI this season.

Luke Torbert (4-2) entered in the sixth and tossed four innings of scoreless baseball. The senior caught a comebacker in the ninth to seal the victory and send the Owls to the ASUN Championship game. He ended the afternoon with three strikeouts.

Makenzie Stills had a strong start for the Owls and tossed five innings. The right-hander set a new personal-best with eight strikeouts and surrendered four runs on five hits. He left with the score tied and was credited with the no-decision.

With his appearance in today's semifinal, Tyler Simon broke the Kennesaw State record for most games played in the program's history. Simon has 231 total which breaks the previous mark set by Chris McGowan from 2011-2015. The shortstop finished the afternoon 1-for-5.

Cash Young doubled in his third at-bat to record career hit number 200. The third baseman was 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in the contest.

Nick Colina tied a career-high with three hits in the ballgame. The outfielder has reached base safely in four straight and has gone for multi-hits in three of the four.

KSU started the second inning with back-to-back doubles from Cash and Young. Spencer Hanson drove in the first run on a fielder's choice RBI to the second baseman. Brayden Eidson followed with an infield single that beat the shift and scored another runner from third.  

A Nick Hassan walk and a single from Colina loaded the bases for Josh Hatcher. On a two-strike count, the KSU center fielder ripped a line drive up the middle to drive in the third Owl of the inning. Kennesaw State finished the frame with five hits and one walk en route to three runs.

The Owls began the third with a base knock from Cash and a bunt from Young to put a runner in scoring position for Hanson. The designated hitter ripped a liner back up-the-middle to record his second RBI and move the KSU advantage to 4-0.  

Lipscomb tied things up with four runs in the sixth inning. The scoring was highlighted by a three-run blast from first baseman, Malik Williams.

Simon led off the seventh with a line-drive single up the middle. After stealing second, he was in scoring position as Cash stepped in. With two strikes, the Freshman of the Year launched an opposite-field home run over the bullpen to put the Owls ahead, 6-4, which held as the final.

The Owls are back in action tomorrow and will face No. 1 Liberty in the ASUN Championship game. First pitch is set for 12:00 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.