By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – After collecting 32 hits on Opening Weekend, Kennesaw State baseball aims to keep its offense on fire as the team hosts Long Island University at Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon and will be the first matchup in series history.
The Rundown
Matchup: Long Island University (0-3) at
Kennesaw State Owls (2-1)
Dates: Feb. 24-26
Site: Stillwell Stadium; Kennesaw, Ga.
TV: KSU Owl Network
Game Notes: KSU
Tickets:
Purchase
Parking: Student Center Visitor Lot, East Deck, Town Point Economy Lot -
Parking Map
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
GAME ONE – Friday
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
KSU: RHP
Nick Zegna
LIU: RHP Alec Huertas
Live Stats |
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GAME TWO – Saturday
First Pitch: 2:00 p.m.
KSU: RHP
Blake Wehunt
LIU: LHP Ryun Cross
Live Stats |
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GAME THREE – Sunday
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
KSU: TBA
LIU: Ty McInnes
Live Stats |
Watch
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Due to the threat of inclement weather, Friday's game has been moved to a 1:00 p.m. first pitch. Follow KSUOwls.com and @KSUOwlsBaseball on Twitter for more updates.
OPENING WEEKEND SUCCESS
Over the last decade, KSU baseball has posted success on Opening Weekend. Since 2012, the Owls have collected a record of 25-14 in their first series of a new season. Last weekend, KSU took two-of-three over New Orleans and averaged eight runs per game.
DIAMOND DEBUTS
The Owls will feature many new faces on the diamond in the 2023 campaign. 21 out of the 37 players on this year's squad are in their first season with KSU baseball. This accounts for 57% of the team's roster.
THE BABY OWLS
During Opening Weekend, Kennesaw State baseball played 14 student-athletes who were either freshmen or sophomores. The underclassmen consisted of eight position players and six pitchers that took the field during the three-game series. Of the 14, seven were true freshmen.
FRESHMAN PHENOMS
Coach Coe and his staff focused on recruiting high school talent during their first, full, recruiting cycle at Kennesaw State. The class features 13 true freshmen and were ranked as the No. 57 class out of 302 Division I programs by Perfect Game USA. Two of these players,
Jackson Chirello and
Tanner Franklin, were also named to the Perfect Game Top 100 Freshmen List prior to the season.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Second baseman
Zac Corbin was the lone Owl selected to the 2023 ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team. The Jefferson, Ga. native started 59 games in 2022 and compiled a .304 batting average with six home runs, 10 doubles, one triple and 37 RBI. KSU was also picked to finish second in the ASUN Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Table Setters
Nick Colina – Colina was a catalyst at the top of the order on Opening Weekend. The senior finished 5-for-11 with a home run, two triples and five RBI. He tallied a team-high 12 total bases in the series victory.
Zac Corbin – Corbin set the table for the KSU offense in the season opening series. The leadoff man recorded a team-high seven runs scored and finished the weekend hitting at a .308 clip. He also added a double and RBI in the series.
Spencer Hanson – 'Sauce' Hanson tallied hits in all three games of Opening Weekend but none were bigger than his homerun in the fourth inning of the series finale. The designated hitter tied for the team-high with five hits against New Orleans and added four RBI.
Power
Donovan Cash – Cash, a 2022 Freshman All-American, blasted a home run on Opening Day against New Orleans. The first baseman also slashed a double and tied for the team-lead with five RBI in the series. The Privateers pitched around Cash as he registered a team-high six walks on the weekend.
SCOUTING THE SHARKS
Table Setters
Carlton Harper – Harper put together an impressive series in the Sharks' Opening Weekend contest at Winthrop. The outfielder collected a team-high six hits and three RBI for his team. He finished the season opener with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate.
Connor Price – Price, the backstop for the Sharks, finished the opening series hitting at a .286 average. The junior tallied three RBI and blasted one double for his team. Price is a bat that is featured in the middle of LIU's lineup.
Power
Jake Mastillo – The Sharks' right-fielder hit the lone home run for his team on Opening Weekend and ended the series 5-for-13 at the plate. Mastillo tallied a team-high eight total bases and finished with two RBI. He also was the only Shark to steal a base in the series.
SPECIAL HATS
For the series finale with the Sharks, Kennesaw State baseball will wear a special baseball hat designed by longtime KSU fan and supporter, Patrick Vickers. Vickers, who has a collection of over 3,700 hats, has always wanted to design an "on-field" piece of headwear. This Sunday, the Owls make his dream become a reality as they debut a new hat modeled after the 1969-1991 Montreal Expos "pinwheel".
SUNDAY FUNDAY IN '23
Starting this season, Sundays at 'The Shake' will be buy one, get one free tickets. The deal will also include an opportunity for kids to run the bases on the field following the conclusion of the game. Click
here to purchase!
ON DECK
KSU baseball is back in action next Tuesday, Mar. 1 for a midweek matchup at Georgia Tech. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. inside Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium and will be the 29th meeting between the two programs.
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
