By: Zac Pike
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball begins ASUN Conference play with a trip to Deland, Fla. for a three-game series against Stetson starting Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (8-7) at Stetson Hatters (11-8)
Date: Mar. 17-19
Site: Melching Field at Conrad Park, Deland, Fla.
TV: ESPN+
Game Notes: KSU
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday at Stetson
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.
KSU: RHP
Blake Wehunt
Stetson: RHP Austin Amaral
Live Stats |
Watch
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Saturday at Stetson
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.
KSU: RHP
Braden Osbolt
Stetson: RHP Brendan Walker
Live Stats |
Watch
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Sunday at Stetson
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
KSU: RHP
Nick Zegna
Stetson: LHP Daniel Peret
Live Stats |
Watch
THE SERIES
The Owls and Hatters have met 48 times, with Kennesaw State holding a 27-21 advantage in the series. The Owls have won six of the last seven meetings between the two programs.
LAST SEASON'S MATCHUP
During the 2022 campaign, KSU and Stetson met six times with the Owls posting a 5-1 record. Kennesaw State swept the Hatters in Deland in early April, then won two-of-three at home on KSU's Senior Weekend. In these six contests, Kennesaw State outscored its opponent, 67-22.
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.
WEHUNT'S HOT START
Blake Wehunt has dominated all season and was moved to the Friday night starter against Michigan. In his outing, the 6'7 right hander set a career high in both innings pitched (6.1) and strikeouts (9) to earn his second win of the year. Wehunt was selected as the ASUN Conference Pitcher of the Week for his performance.
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.
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.
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.
LOTS OF OFFENSE
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).
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 from New Orleans.
ON DECK
KSU returns to Stillwell Stadium for a midweek matchup as the Owls host Clemson Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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.
