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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the comeback fell just short in a 5-4 loss to Rutgers on Wednesday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium. With the loss, the Owls (8-7) snap their three-game win streak and the Scarlet Knights improve to 8-7 on the season.
The Owls entered the final frame down 5-1. Jackson Chirello led off with a double and scored on Hudson Mimbs' second hit of the night. Chris Cole followed with a two-out hit and scored on a wild pitch that cut the deficit to 5-4. A deep fly out ended the rally and gave Rutgers a one-run win over Kennesaw State.
The KSU offense tallied eight hits and were led by Mimbs who went 2-for-3 with a walk. Chirello and Nick Colina were the other Owls that collected multi-hit performances.
Cole, Nick Hassan and Jamarie Brooks all collected one base knock in the contest. Mimbs and Chirello each slugged doubles while Mimbs drove in two runs for the KSU offense.
Miller Riggins had a solid outing out of the bullpen, tossing 2.0 innings with two strikeouts. The southpaw allowed zero runs and only one hit in his sixth appearance.
Freshman Agyei Quinichett also bridged the game for the KSU bullpen with two scoreless innings. The right hander did not allow a baserunner in his third appearance of the year and tallied one strikeout.
Connor Housley has put together back-to-back, strong, appearances in relief. The junior worked a quick seventh and eighth frame, allowing zero runs on one hit.
Rutgers scored four runs in the second inning to jump out to an early lead. The Owls answered with one in the fifth on an RBI double from Mimbs that cut the deficit to 4-1. Rutgers scored one final time in the ninth that made the score 5-1.
KSU baseball kicks off ASUN Conference play this weekend as the team travels to Stetson for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night inside Melching Field at Conrad Park. KSU leads the all-time series with a record of 27-21.
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.
