JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Kennesaw State (13-13, 5-4) scored four unanswered runs in the sixth and eighth innings to take down Jacksonville State 6-4 Sunday afternoon at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
Trailing 3-2 going into the top of the sixth, the Owls scored four runs over the final four innings and held the Gamecocks (14-14, 7-2) to one run to win the series.
Tyler Franks excelled on and off the mound on Sunday. The sophomore pitched two scoreless innings and earned his first win of the season. Franks also had two hits and an RBI at the plate.
Starting pitcher
Nick Zegna went five innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs and four strikeouts.
KSU scored six runs on eight hits Sunday afternoon.
Hudson Mimbs,
Nick Colina and Franks each collected two hits.
Chris Cole went 1-for-1 with two RBI,
Nick Hassan finished the day 1-for-3 and
Jackson Chirello drew two walks to lead the Owls.
Kennesaw State struck first in the top of the third inning. Mimbs drew a walk and took second base on a wild pitch. Colina drove him in on an RBI single to center field to put the Owls up 1-0.
The Gamecocks responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
After Chirello drew a leadoff walk in the following inning, Hassan went the other way for a single and put runners on first and third with no outs for KSU. Chirello raced home after the catcher tried to throw Hassan out at second on a steal to tie the game at 2-2.
Jax State retook the lead, 3-2, after a pair of doubles in the bottom of the fifth.
Franks came through in the clutch once again for the Owls in the top of the sixth, driving in the tying run on a single to right field.
Jamarie Brooks laid down a sac bunt to put the Owls in front, 4-3.
Franks entered in relief and retired all six Jacksonville State batters in order in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings.
KSU extended its lead to 6-3 in the top of the eighth after Cole drove in two with a single to center.
Blake Aita pitched the final two innings and earned his first save of the season as the Owls secured the 6-4 win and clinched the series.
The Owls return to Stillwell Stadium Tuesday with a matchup against Georgia Tuesday at 6 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.
