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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Kennesaw State baseball fell in its series opener with Jacksonville State by a score of 11-4 on Friday night inside Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. The loss cuts the Owls (11-13, 3-4 ASUN Conference) lead in the all-time series to two games, with KSU holding a 19-17 advantage against the Gamecocks (14-12, 7-0 ASUN).

KSU fell behind early but received two strong, relief appearances from Luke Cooper and Makenzie Stills. Cooper ended the night allowing zero earned runs over 2.1 innings. Stills tossed the seventh and eighth without allowing a baserunner and collected one strikeout.  

Offensively, the Owls posted eight hits. Chris Cole and Connor Evans led the way with two apiece. Cole finished 2-for-4 at the dish while Evans added a 2-for-3 night with two RBI and his first double in a KSU uniform.

Other notables included Hudson Mimbs (1-for-3, double, RBI), Donovan Cash (1-for-5, run scored) and Jackson Chirello (1-for-4, walk and run scored).

Jacksonville State got on the board with a two-run homer in the first, but the Owls scored once in the fourth to cut the deficit to 2-1. JSU answered with six, two-out runs in the bottom half to extend its lead to 8-1.

Each team scored one run in the sixth and two runs in the seventh to move the score to 11-4 in favor of JSU, which held as the final.

Kennesaw State baseball is back in action tomorrow for game two of its ASUN series with Jacksonville State. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

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.
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