By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball begins play in the Hattiesburg Regional with a showdown on Friday night against the LSU Tigers. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET inside Pete Taylor Park and will be the first matchup in series history between the two programs.
Tournament Seeding:
No. 1 Southern Miss
No. 2 LSU
No. 3 Kennesaw State
No. 4 Army
NCAA Tournament: Official Website
2022 Schedule: Click Here
Game Notes: KSU
Game One
Matchup: No. 3 Kennesaw State Owls vs. No. 2 LSU Tigers
Date: June 3
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (6 CT)
Site: Pete Taylor Park; Hattiesburg, Miss.
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KSU Owls App
Live Stats: Click Here
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Each game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ and the KSU Owls App. ESPN+ links will be available each day on KSUOwls.com while Jordan Griffitt and
Michael Goss will have the radio call on the KSU Owl Network available online through the KSU Owls App, KSUOwls.com, and TuneIn. The "Owl On-Deck Show" begins 15 minutes before first pitch of each game.
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.
BLAZING BATS
The bats have been on fire for the KSU offense. The Owls are averaging 10.5 hits per game and 7.1 runs scored through 61 contests. From Mar. 23 – Apr. 2, Kennesaw State posted a seven-game stretch with 11-or-more hits. The team enters the NCAA Regionals with 10+ hits in its last eight games.
TOP-2 IN THE NATION
Josh Hatcher is currently top-2 in the nation in two offensive categories. The KSU center fielder is tied for the national lead in hits (103) and ranks second in doubles (25). With his double on Friday at Liberty (May 20),
Josh Hatcher registered his 25th of the season to break the Kennesaw State single-season record.
#2 IS #1 IN KSU HISTORY
In the ASUN semifinals versus Lipscomb,
Tyler Simon played in his 231st career game at KSU to set a new program record. The shortstop has totaled 232 appearances in his five years as an Owl. The previous record of 230 was held by Chris McGowan from 2011-2015.
IT'S MONEY TIME
Donovan Cash has exploded onto the scene in his first year as a starter and was named the ASUN Freshman of the Year. The first baseman is first on KSU in multi-hit performances (29) and ranks second in batting average (.356). He was rewarded ASUN Player of the Week on May 16 after batting .600 with four home runs, five doubles and 11 RBI during a four-game stretch.
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.
POWER SURGE
On Friday night against Jacksonville (Apr. 22),
Cash Young became the second player in KSU history to hit three home runs in a single game. The third baseman posted a streak of 10 home runs in a 13-game stretch. Young leads the team with 17 total and holds the program record for most home runs in a single season.
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 103 hits this year and compiled 126 during his first four years in the SEC.
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.
