By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball hosts the inaugural Mike Sansing Classic this weekend as the University of Michigan and UAB visit Stillwell Stadium. The three-team round robin is set to begin on Friday, with each team playing a total of four games.
The Rundown
Teams: Michigan Wolverines (4-8), UAB Blazers (4-8), Kennesaw State Owls (5-6)
Dates: Mar. 10-12
Site: Stillwell Stadium; Kennesaw, Ga.
TV: ESPN+ and KSU Owl Network
Game Notes: KSU |
MICH
Tickets:
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Parking: Student Center Visitor Lot, East Deck, Town Point Economy Lot -
Parking Map
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
FRIDAY: GAME ONE – Michigan vs. UAB
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats
FRIDAY: GAME TWO – Michigan vs. KSU
First Pitch: 5:00 p.m.
Live Stats |
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SATURDAY: GAME ONE – UAB vs. Michigan
First Pitch: 12:00 p.m.
Live Stats
SATURDAY: GAME TWO – UAB vs. KSU
First Pitch: 45 minutes after game one
Live Stats |
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SUNDAY: GAME ONE – Michigan vs. KSU
First Pitch: 12:00 p.m.
Live Stats |
Watch
SUNDAY: GAME TWO – UAB vs. KSU
First Pitch: 45 minutes after game one
Live Stats |
Watch
SCHEDULE UPDATES
Due to the threat of inclement weather, first pitch for game one on Friday has been moved back to a 1:00 p.m. start time. For Saturday and Sunday, game time has been adjusted so that the second game each day will start approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Please follow @KSUOwlsbaseball on twitter for more updates throughout the weekend.
THE MIKE SANSING CLASSIC
Mike Sansing was the head baseball coach at Kennesaw State from 1991-2021. An 11-time Coach of the Year selection, including two National Coach of the Year awards, Sansing led the Owls to a pair of National Championships and a 2014 NCAA Super Regional berth. He recently retired with a career record of 1,158-693. To honor his commitment to Kennesaw State, current head baseball coach Ryan Coe established a yearly tournament to be held at Stillwell Stadium. Sansing is scheduled to throw out the first pitch for KSU's opening game versus Michigan on Friday night.
SERIES HISTORY
This weekend will be the first time that KSU baseball and Michigan square off in series history. UAB is a familiar opponent for the Owls, as the two teams have played 19 times with KSU holding a 12-9 advantage.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 over New Orleans and averaged eight runs per game.
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. KSU was also picked to finish second in the ASUN Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll.
ON DECK
KSU baseball is back in action next Tuesday, Mar. 14 as the team travels to Georgia Southern for a midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro, Ga.
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
