KENNESAW, Ga. – Donovan Cash launched a two-run homer and
Hudson Mimbs hit a solo shot, but an early 5-0 deficit proved too much to overcome as the Owls fell 9-6 to New Orleans Friday night on Opening Day at Stillwell Stadium.
Zac Corbin, a 2023 ASUN Preseason All-Conference selection, finished the day 2-for-4 with a double, single, a walk, and three runs scored. He also added two stolen bases to power the KSU offense at the top of the lineup.
Brayden Eidson posted a strong performance in relief, pitching five innings, giving up just two runs and tying a career-high with four strikeouts.
New Orleans scored five runs in the first inning after three walks, a hit batter and a pair of singles.
Kennesaw State threatened in the bottom half as Corbin and
Nick Colina drew back-to-back walks but a double play ended the first inning threat for the Owls.
After
Nick Zegna gave up a leadoff single in the top of the second, Eidson entered in relief and posted a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.
KSU threatened once again in the second.
Spencer Hanson singled up the middle and
Jamarie Brooks followed with a walk to put runners on first and second with one out, but a pair of strikeouts finished the rally.
A two-out two-run homer put the Privateers up 7-0 in the top of the third.
Corbin led off the bottom half of the inning with a hit by pitch and Cash laced a two-run homer to right field for KSU's first home run of the season.
Eidson pitched two scoreless innings across the fourth and fifth innings to keep it a five-run game.
Corbin reached on an error to lead off the fifth and Cash drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out.
Nick Hassan singled past the shortstop to plate in a run to make it 7-3.
Following a pick-off at first,
Jackson Chirello extended the inning by drawing a two-out walk to put two runners on base, but UNO stove off the Kennesaw State rally to take a four-run lead into the sixth.
Eidson continued his strong relief performance with another scoreless inning in the sixth.
Mimbs followed with a solo shot to right in the bottom of the sixth that cut the New Orleans lead to 7-4.
UNO added a pair of runs in the seventh to take a 9-4 lead.
Tyler Franks entered in relief for
Nolan Sliver in the top of the eighth and struck out the side after giving up a hit and a walk to keep UNO off the board.
Kennesaw State started another rally in the bottom of the eighth as Corbin doubled to center and Colina and Cash drew a pair of walks as Kennesaw State loaded up the bases with one out. Hassan knocked in his second RBI of the game on a fielder's choice to make it a four-run game, 9-5 in the bottom of the eighth.
Franks kept UNO off the board in the top of the ninth, escaping a bases-loaded jam.
After UNO robbed Hanson of a hit up the middle to kick off the bottom of the ninth, the Owls refused to back down. Brooks singled and Mimbs followed with a single to right field to put runners on first and second with one out.
Pinch-hitting for Knowles,
Wade Richardson came through in the clutch with a single past the first baseman to make it a 9-6 game with the tying run coming to the plate. UNO entered its closer who collected two big outs as the Privateers held on for the 9-6 win.
KSU is back in action tomorrow for game two of its opening series with the University of New Orleans. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Stillwell 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.
