Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kennesaw State baseball scored eight runs in the eighth inning to defeat the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), 12-7, on Opening Day at Young Memorial Field. The Owls (1-0) trailed by four early in the contest, but a late offensive explosion gave KSU the victory over the Blazers (0-1).
The eighth inning was highlighted by four hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch and two home runs from Isaac Bouton. The offense scored 10 unanswered runs during the seventh and eighth frames to complete the comeback.
Offensively, Kennesaw State collected seven hits, three of which were home runs. The Owls got big performances from newcomers Nate Anderson and Bouton who both went deep and added multi-hit performances.
Anderson, the transfer from Gardner-Webb, went 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot with a home run and three RBI. The Dunwoody, Ga. native scored two runs and gave KSU the lead with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch in the eighth inning.
Bouton pulled off one of baseball's rarest feats when he homered two times in the same inning. The Columbus State transfer ended his first game as an Owl with a 2-for-5 afternoon. He also drove in four runs which was tops on the team.
Other notables included Jamarie Brooks (1-for-3, two walks, RBI), Donovan Cash (1-for-5) and Spencer Hanson (1-for-1, pinch-hit RBI single)
Braden Osbolt made the Opening Day start for the Owls and tossed 4.2 innings. The sophomore allowed four runs, three of which were earned, during his season debut. The right-hander surrendered seven hits with four punchouts on the day.
Bo Rhudy made his collegiate debut as the freshman entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. The Chickamauga, Ga. native induced a ground out to first to eliminate the Blazers' threat. Rhudy allowed one run in his 1.1 innings pitched.
Hudson Mimbs (1-0) earned his first win of the season after tossing two innings out of the bullpen. The right-hander allowed two runs on two hits.
Ryan Renfroe was the second freshman to make his debut in the contest when he entered with the bases loaded in the ninth. The right-hander dominated and struck out three batters to end the game and give the Owls the Opening Day win.
UAB jumped ahead with two runs in the first inning. The Blazers added on with a two-run homer in the fourth to make it a 4-0 ballgame.
With the bases loaded in the fifth, Brayden Eidson drove in the first run of the season for the KSU offense with a sacrifice fly to right. This cut the deficit to three at the halfway point of the game.
UAB added a run on a fielder's choice in the sixth, but a two-run bomb from Anderson in the seventh cut into the Blazers' lead. This moved the score to 5-3 heading into the seventh-inning stretch.
Bouton led off the eighth with a moon shot on the fourth pitch of the inning. The solo shot cut the lead to one and was the senior's first of the season. Back-to-back walks put a runner in scoring position for Hanson, who pinch hit and roped a game-tying single to right field.
With the bases loaded, Anderson stepped into the box and was hit by a pitch to give Kennesaw State its first lead of the day. On the next pitch, Brooks roped an RBI single to right field.
KSU added another run courtesy of a wild pitch to extend its lead to 8-5 with two outs in the eighth.
The offense batted around and Bouton stepped up with two men on. The third baseman launched his second home run of the inning which gave KSU an 11-5 advantage and capped off an eight-run frame.
A sacrifice fly from Nick Hassan in the top of the ninth added one to the Kennesaw State lead.
UAB scored twice in the ninth before Renfroe slammed the door with three strikeouts out of the pen.
KSU baseball is back in action tomorrow for game two of its Opening Weekend series at UAB. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. ET at Young Memorial Field.
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.
