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KENNESAW, Ga. – The offense remained hot as Kennesaw State baseball earned a 13-3 run-rule victory over Jacksonville in seven innings on Saturday afternoon inside Stillwell Stadium. With the win, the Owls (21-20, 11-9 ASUN Conference) jump ahead of the Dolphins (25-17, 10-10 ASUN) in the ASUN Conference standings heading into tomorrow's series finale.
Spencer Hanson drove in six runs for the second time this season, as the designated hitter was one shy of the single-game KSU record. Hanson finished 2-for-3 with a home run and double while scoring two runs for the offense.
Nick Zegna (5-4) got the start and pitched six innings with six strikeouts. The right-hander allowed only one run on seven hits in his 11th appearance. Zegna has now worked into the sixth inning in each of his last three starts.
The Owls' offense posted 11 hits and had four starters record multi-hit performances. Hanson, Zac Corbin, Donovan Cash and Hudson Mimbs combined for eight of the team's 11 knocks.
Cash was 2-for-4 with a double in the victory. The first baseman also scored two runs and added a walk.
Mimbs drove in three runs, including two in the seventh to give KSU the run-rule victory. The third baseman finished 2-for-5 with a double.
Corbin was a perfect 2-for-2 with a double and three runs scored. He slashed a double
Jamarie Brooks hit his first career home run during the second inning The left fielder finished 1-for-4.
KSU added three runs in the top of the first when Hanson launched a 440 ft. bomb to dead-center field. This was the designated hitter's ninth of the season which moved him into sole possession of the team lead.
The Owls were not finished with the long ball, as Brooks led off the top of the second with a no-doubter off the Bailey Building in left field. This was the first of the freshman's career and gave Kennesaw State a 4-0 lead.
KSU loaded the bases later in the frame and scratched one more across on a fielder's choice to push its advantage to 5-0.
Jacksonville scored one run in the fifth, but KSU answered with a run of its own. Cash hit into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to push the score to 6-1 in favor of the Owls.
Kennesaw State broke the game open with five runs in the fifth to take an 11-1 lead. Hanson slashed a double that brought in three runs then scored on a double from Cash. Three batters later, Mimbs laced a single to score Cash and bring home the final run of the inning.
JU scored twice in the top of the seventh, but a Mimbs two-RBI double in the bottom half gave KSU the 13-3 run-rule victory.
Kennesaw State baseball is back in action tomorrow as it aims for the series sweep over Jacksonville. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
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.
