By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – After scoring 46 runs over the weekend and earning the first sweep of the season, Kennesaw State baseball heads to No. 16 Georgia Tech for the first road match of the year. The Owls secured a 14-12 victory in the last contest at Russ Chandler Stadium and are 3-2 in the last five games against the Yellow Jackets.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (5-1) at No. 16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-0)
Date: Mar. 1
Site: Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium; Atlanta, Ga.
TV: ACC Network Extra
Game Notes: KSU
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
WEDNESDAY
First Pitch: 4:00 p.m.
KSU: Brendan Parks
GT: Dalton Smith
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TOP-5 OFFENSE
Through the first six games of the new season, the KSU offense ranks top five in the country in multiple categories. The team is third in on base percentage (.491), fourth in batting average (.366) and fifth in runs per game (11.7).
SCORCHING BATS
The Owls' offense compiled 46 runs and 46 hits in their three-game series against LIU (Feb. 24-26). KSU connected for seven home runs on the weekend, with two triples and eight doubles. In game two, KSU scored 19 runs to post the second most in a single game in the last five seasons behind the 23 it scored last year versus Stetson (May 13, 2022).
CASH MONEY
Donovan Cash put together an incredible weekend against LIU (Feb. 24-26). The KSU first baseman homered in all three games and finished the series 8-for-14 with 10 RBI to earn ASUN Conference Player of the Week honors.
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. This season, KSU took two-of-three over New Orleans and averaged eight runs per game.
DIAMOND DEBUTS
The Owls 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.
PREASON 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
Zac Corbin – The KSU leadoff hitter is coming off an impressive series against LIU which saw him collect multi-hit performances in all three games. Corbin, who bats leadoff for the Owls, finished the series with seven hits, including a three run homer in the Sunday finale. He currently holds a .423 average with a .500 OBP.
Nick Colina – Colina rides a five-game hit streak into Wednesday's midweek at No. 16 Georgia Tech. The senior outfielder scored eight runs in the weekend series with LIU and tallied three RBI. On Saturday, Colina belted a double and triple in the Owls' 19-14 win.
Power
Donovan Cash – Cash, the reigning ASUN Player of the Week, homered in three-straight games last week. The sophomore finished 8-for-14 with a team-high 10 RBI. He currently leads the Owls in batting average (.455), RBI (15), total bases (23) and home runs (4). He has started all six games and bats in the three spot in the high-powered KSU lineup.
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Table Setters
Angelo Dispigna – The Yellow Jackets' left fielder is a catalyst at the top of the batting order and is batting .385 on the season. Dispigna, the reigning National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball, is second on the team in doubles (2) and home runs (3) through the first seven games.
Jack Rubenstein – Rubenstein handles the catching responsibilities for Georgia Tech and holds a .476 batting average. The senior put together a 5-for-5 afternoon last Sunday versus Tennessee Tech with one double and a run scored.
Power
Jake DeLeo – The Yellow Jackets' leadoff hitter has flashed his power in seven starts this season. DeLeo leads the team in home runs (4), RBI (11) and runs scored (10). In the Opening Weekend finale against Miami (Ohio), the junior belted two homers in a 3-for-4 performance with five RBI.
ON DECK
KSU baseball is back in action this Friday, Mar. 3 as the team welcomes Boston College to Stillwell Stadium for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon and will be the first matchup between the two programs. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking
here.
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
