KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball overcame an early 5-0 deficit, but Mercer pulled away late to win 15-6 Wednesday night at Stillwell Stadium.
KSU (11-12) jumped in front in the bottom of the fifth on a
Nick Colina solo shot, but Mercer (17-9) scored 10 runs in the sixth and seventh innings to put the game out of reach.
Nick Hassan and Colina had strong nights at the plate. Hassan went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. Colina finished 1-for-3 and launched his 10th career home run in the bottom of the fifth.
Wade Richardson added a hit, three walks and two RBI to power the KSU offense.
Brooks Rosser was strong out of the pen, pitching two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.
Mercer struck in the top of the first, scoring five runs to grab an early 5-0 lead.
Brayden Eidson entered in relief and kept the Bears scoreless from the second inning through the fifth.
Chris Cole led off the bottom of the third inning with a walk and a stolen base. Eidson got hit by a pitch and a passed ball advanced both runners to second and third. Richardson singled home Cole and
Jackson Chirello hit a sac fly to make it a 5-2 game.
Hudson Mimbs opened the fourth with a walk, and a pair of singles from Hassan and
Jamarie Brooks loaded the bases with no outs. Cole, Eidson and Richardson each knocked in an RBI as the Owls tied up the game 5-5.
Colina blasted his second homer of the season on a solo shot to right field to put KSU in front, 6-5.
Mercer answered in the top of the six with four runs on a pair of home runs to retake the lead, 9-6.
KSU loaded the bases in the bottom half of the frame but didn't plate any runs.
The Bears added six more runs in the seventh and kept the Owls off the board to get the 15-6 win.
The Owls travel to Jacksonville State for a three-game series starting Friday at 7 p.m. (ET).
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.
