By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball finishes the 2023 regular season this week with a four-game road trip in the state of Florida. The Owls visit Florida State on Tuesday, May 16 and then head to Florida Gulf Coast for an ASUN Conference series scheduled to begin this Thursday.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (23-27) at Florida State Seminoles (20-30)
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (23-27, 12-15 ASUN) at FGCU Eagles (37-14, 19-8 ASUN)
Dates: May 16 and May 18-20
Site: Dick Howser Stadium; Tallahassee, Fla. and Swanson Stadium; Fort Myers, Fla.
TV: ACC Network Extra (FSU) and ESPN+ (FGCU)
Game Notes: KSU
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TUESDAY at FLORIDA STATE
First Pitch: 6:00 p.m.
Live Stats |
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THURSDAY at FGCU
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.
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FRIDAY at FGCU
First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.
Live Stats |
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SATURDAY at FGCU
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
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THE SERIES
The Owls and Seminoles have not met before in series history although both teams competed in the 2014 Tallahassee Regional. Meanwhile, KSU and FGCU are primed for their 20th matchup with the Eagles holding a 12-7 advantage.
THE LAST MATCHUP
Last season, Kennesaw State eliminated FGCU from the 2022 ASUN Baseball Tournament with a 7-6 win in Fort Myers. The game featured six lead changes and was capped by a two-RBI single from
Nick Hassan in the eighth inning that moved the Owls ahead for the victory.
FIVE OWLS NEAR THE TOP OF THE ASUN
Several Owls are leading the charge at the top of the ASUN Conference in multiple categories. Senior
Nick Colina leads the ASUN in two categories. The Dallas, Ga. native ranks first in triples (5) and walks (47) while ranking third in OBP (.500). Freshman
Jackson Chirello's 15 doubles are tied for nineth.
Donovan Cash is 15th with 46 RBIs.
Blake Wehunt is sixth in the league with 77 strikeouts and
Nick Zegna is 17th with 65 punchouts.
HANSON'S HOT STREAK
Spencer Hanson has been on a tear over his last 14 games. The KSU designated hitter has homered seven times while collecting seven multi-hit performances and 21 RBI over that span. Hanson recorded 11 RBI in the three-game series with Jacksonville and was named the ASUN Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
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.
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.
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.
