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KENNESAW, Ga. – A strong start from Nick Zegna combined with another offensive explosion helped Kennesaw State baseball to a 15-2 victory over Long Island University on Friday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium. The win improves KSU to 3-1 on the season while LIU falls to 0-4.

Zegna (1-1) made his second start and picked up his first win as an Owl. The right-hander went 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs with 10 punch outs. Zegna allowed only three hits and two walks in the outing.  

The Kennesaw State offense collected 16 hits in the series opener to mark the third consecutive game the team posted double-digits in this category. The 15 runs are also the second time on the year the Owls have scored 10-or-more in one game.

Nick Hassan led the KSU offense as the junior tied his career-high in hits with a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon. The designated hitter slashed a double and registered four RBI against the Sharks, which was only one shy of his career record (5 vs. Cincinnati, 2020).  

Jackson Chirello had another big day in the middle-of-the-order as the freshman launched his first career home run to deep right field. The Woodstock, Ga. native finished 3-for-3 with a HR, double, three walks, three runs scored and three RBI.

Zac Corbin added his second multi-hit game of the year with a 2-for-4 performance. The KSU leadoff hitter extended his hit streak to five games dating back to last season and recorded one RBI in the contest.

Donovan Cash launched his 12th career home run and put together a 3-for-5 day for the Owls' offense. The first baseman tallied three RBI and two runs scored against the Sharks.

Zegna ignited the KSU dugout by striking out the side in the top of the first. The 6'4 right-hander needed only 10 pitches to record his first three punchouts of the afternoon.

In the bottom half, Corbin singled on the first pitch of his at-bat then advanced to second on a passed ball. With two outs in the frame, Chirello laced a single to right which brought Corbin home and gave the Owls an early 1-0 lead.

Chirello continued his big day in the third inning when the freshman launched a no-doubter over the wall. The 389 ft. shot to right-center field put Kennesaw State up 2-0.

The Owls broke things open in the fourth inning with four two-out runs. Mason Jones walked to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Hudson Mimbs. Nick Colina walked to set things up for Cash.

On the first pitch of his at-bat, Cash ripped a ground ball up the middle to score Jones and leave runners on the corners. Chirello followed with a walk which loaded the bases for Hassan. Down 0-2 in the count, the designated hitter roped a double off the right-field wall to score three and move KSU ahead, 6-0.

Long Island hit a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to cut the Owls' advantage to 6-2, but KSU answered with eight runs in the sixth to go up, 14-2.

Cash got things going with an opposite field shot off the scoreboard for his second home run of the year. A Chirello walk, followed by Hassan's fourth hit of the day put Kennesaw State up by six. Jamarie Brooks ripped a two-RBI single to record his first career RBI that moved the score to 10-2.

The Owls final four runs in the frame came with RBI's from Corbin, Cash, Nick Colina and Connor Evans. Evans' marked the first run batted in of his KSU career.

KSU is back in action tomorrow for game two of its series with Long Island University (LIU). First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets.

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.