KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State baseball (23-25, 12-13 ASUN Conference) fell 8-5 in its series opener versus North Alabama (10-36, 4-21 ASUN) on Friday night at Stillwell Stadium.
The Owls offense recorded 10 hits and was led by Nick Hassan and Zac Corbin who had two hits apiece.
Jamari Brooks added in one run and two RBI with a two-run bomb in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was the left fielder's second homer of the season.
Eight of the Owls starting nine tallied a hit and all reached base in game one.
Brayden Eidson broke open the game for the Owls in the bottom of the second with an RBI single to send Hudson Mimbs home and give KSU the 1-0 lead.
The Lions responded with two runs of their own in the top of the third to take the 2-1 lead.
Zac Corbin led off for KSU in the bottom half of the inning and added a solo shot to tie the game at two runs apiece. The second baseman launched it 354 feet over the right field fence for his fourth home run of the year.
After a pair of scoreless innings, Hassan reached on a single in the top of the sixth. Brooks sent him home with a 366-foot, two-run blast to regain the lead, 4-2 for the Owls.
North Alabama retook control of the lead in the top of the seventh inning, adding in three runs to take the 5-4 lead.
KSU scored its fifth run in the eighth inning. Hassan led off the frame for the Owls with a walk, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Wade Richardson to tie the game at five-all.
The Lions added three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the 8-5 lead, which held as the final.
Kennesaw State baseball is back in action tomorrow for game two of its three-game series versus North Alabama. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium.
