By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball begins year three under head coach
Ryan Coe with a season-opening series in Birmingham against the UAB Blazers. The three-game set begins on Friday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. The trip is the Owls first to Young Memorial Field since 2021.
The Rundown
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls vs. UAB Blazers
Date: Feb. 16-18
Site: Young Memorial Field; Birmingham, Ala.
TV: ESPN+
Game Notes: KSU
2024 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
GAME ONE – Friday
First Pitch: 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT
KSU:
Braden Osbolt
UAB: Blayze Berry
Live Stats |
Watch
GAME TWO – Saturday
First Pitch: 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT
KSU:
Blake Aita
UAB: Isaac Warrick
Live Stats |
Watch
GAME THREE – Sunday
First Pitch: 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT
KSU:
Smith Pinson
UAB: Collin Daniel
Live Stats |
Watch
The Series
The Owls and Blazers have met 22 times in series history with KSU holding a 13-9 advantage. The last matchup came during the 2023 Mike Sansing Classic, which saw Kennesaw State earn a 4-3 victory at Stillwell Stadium. The KSU bullpen combined to throw 6.2 scoreless innings in the win.
Opening Weekend Success
Over the last decade, KSU baseball has posted success on Opening Weekend. Since 2012, the Owls have collected a record of 25-14 in their first series of a new season.
Roster Breakdown
The Owls enter the 2024 season with a mixture of veterans and rookies. The team returns 25 players from last year's squad while adding 14 newcomers to The Nest. Out of the 14 new additions, 10 are true freshmen while four are transfers.
Stillwell Stadium Farewell Tour
In September 2023, the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia approved two major construction projects at Kennesaw State University, one of which included a new stadium for KSU baseball. Plans for the stadium reconstruction include premium and hospitality seating, and the stadium will match the program's aspirations with the ability to host NCAA Regional and Super Regional rounds.
15-Straight MLB Draft Picks
Kennesaw State right-handed pitcher
Blake Wehunt was selected 268th overall by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of the 2023 MLB Draft last July. The selection marked the 73rd draft pick in KSU baseball history and extended the streak to 15 consecutive years the Owls have had at least one player drafted (excluding the 2020 COVID-shortened draft).
Cape Cod Success
Kennesaw State baseball sent two players to the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League in
Smith Pinson and
Blake Aita. Pinson dominated all year and was named to the 2023 Cape Cod Baseball All-League Team after posting a 3-1 record with a 2.68 ERA. Aita followed suit with a strong summer and was named a CCBL Top 100 Prospect, per Perfect Game USA. The Canton, Ga. native came in at No. 41 on the list of top prospects.
Finished the Year Strong
Kennesaw State baseball had two players named to the 2023 ASUN All-Conference teams last season.
Jamarie Brooks was selected to the All-Freshman squad and
Spencer Hanson was tabbed a Third Team All-ASUN honoree. This marked the first postseason accolade for each player.
Hanson's Hot Streak
Hanson played in 42 games last season with 38 starts, leading the team in batting average (.369), homers (15), RBI (55) and slugging percentage (.725). He had 17 multi-hit games including reaching four hits on three different occasions. The righty ended the season with 10 hits in three games against FGCU en route to his second ASUN Player of the Week award.
Atlantic Sun Farewell
This season marks the final year Kennesaw State baseball will compete within the Atlantic Sun Conference. On July 1, 2024, the team will move into Conference USA where they will join Dallas Baptist, Florida International, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP and Western Kentucky.
On Deck
The Owls host Mercer for their home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 20 inside Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m. and will be the 40th matchup between the two teams in series history.
Click here to purchase tickets.
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.
