DELAND, Fla. – Kennesaw State baseball took a 9-4 lead into the seventh inning, but Stetson battled back in the late innings as the Owls fell 14-9 Saturday afternoon at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
Hudson Mimbs had a stellar day for the Owls. The sophomore went 2-for-4 at the plate with five RBI and hit a grand slam in the sixth inning.
Brayden Eidson was also excellent at the plate as the junior finished the day 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Zac Corbin and Spencer each collected two hits.
Chris Cole,
Jackson Chirello and
Nick Colina had one hit apiece for the Owls.
KSU threatened early, putting runners on first and second in the first two innings.
Braden Osbolt retired the side in order and struck out the side through two frames.
The Hatters struck first in the bottom of the third and took an early 2-0 lead.
The Owls got one back in the top of the fourth. Corbin doubled on a hustle play with a hit up the middle, and Hanson singled home Corbin with a single to left to make it 2-1.
Mimbs led off the top of the fifth with a walk and Colina advanced him to second base with a sac bunt. Eidson came through for the Owls with an RBI single up the middle to tie it 2-2.
KSU broke through in a big way in the sixth inning. After a Corbin walk, Hanson laced a double down the left field line, and
Chris Cole drew a walk to load the bases. Mimbs stepped up to the plate and launched a grand slam to put the Owls in front, 6-4.
Donovan Cash nearly followed with a three-run homer, but a nice play at the wall resulted in an RBI sac fly. Chirello hit an RBI double down the left field line to give the Owls an 8-4 lead.
Mimbs continued his strong day at the plate with an RBI double to push the lead to 9-4 after the top of the seventh.
Stetson scored 10 runs across the seventh and eighth innings and retired the side in the top of the ninth as the Hatters held on for the 14-9 victory.
The Owls conclude the series Sunday at Stetson. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
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.
