By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball travels to Nashville for a weekend series with the Lipscomb Bisons. Heading into the weekend, Lipscomb ranks second in the ASUN Conference standings while the Owls sit three games behind in fifth place.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (22-21, 12-9 ASUN) vs. Lipscomb Bisons (24-21, 15-6 ASUN)
Date: May 5-7
Site: Dugan Field; Nashville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN+
Game Notes: KSU
2023 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
GAME ONE – Friday
First Pitch: 7:00 p.m.
KSU:
Blake Wehunt
LIP: Logan Van Treeck
Live Stats |
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GAME TWO – Saturday
First Pitch: 7:00 p.m.
KSU:
Nick Zegna
LIP: Braydon Tucker
Live Stats
GAME THREE – Sunday
First Pitch: 2:00 p.m.
KSU:
Braden Osbolt
LIP: Noah Thompson
Live Stats |
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THE SERIES
The Owls and Bisons have met 51 times in series history. KSU leads the all-time series 27-24, with its last win coming in the semifinals of the ASUN Baseball Championship last season.
THE LAST MATCHUP
Kennesaw State eliminated Lipscomb in the semifinals of the ASUN Baseball Championship last season by a score of 6-4. Tied 4-4 in the seventh inning,
Donovan Cash blasted his 10th home run of the year to put KSU ahead. The first baseman scored four of the Owls' six runs in the game.
HOME RUN CENTRAL
Heading into this weekend's series, KSU baseball holds a streak of 10-straight games with a home run. The team also holds another streak of eight consecutive games with multiple home runs. During this span, the offense has been led by
Spencer Hanson who has contributed six long balls. The streak has also seen
Chris Cole and
Wade Richardson hit their first homers of the season.
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 three categories. The Dallas, Ga. native leads the ASUN in triples (5), OBP (.526) and walks (46). Freshman
Jackson Chirello's 13 doubles are tied for eighth.
Donovan Cash is 11th with 44 RBIs.
Blake Wehunt is 9th in the league with 64 strikeouts and
Nick Zegna is 16th with 58 punchouts.
HANSON'S HOT STEAK
Spencer Hanson has been on a tear over his last seven games. The KSU designated hitter has homered six times while collecting six multi-hit performances and 19 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.
ON DECK
The Owls host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Wednesday, May 10 inside Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be the 30th matchup between the two teams in series history.
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.
