Box Score
CLEMSON, S.C. –In a game that saw five lead changes, Kennesaw State baseball fell to No. 10 Clemson by a score of 8-6 on Saturday afternoon inside Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers (5-1) scored three runs in the eighth inning to even the series with the Owls (3-4) heading into tomorrow's rubber match.
Blake Aita got the start on the rubber and threw 3.2 innings. The sophomore allowed five runs on six hits with two strikeouts on the afternoon.
Ryan Renfroe was the first arm out of the bullpen and tossed 1.1 innings. The right-hander finished with one strikeout and zero runs allowed. His strikeout came with runners in scoring position and eliminated the Tigers' threat.
Brayden Eidson (0-1) threw 2.1 innings and pitched into the eighth. The left-hander escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth by inducing a huge inning-ending double play. He allowed three runs on five hits.
Offensively, Kennesaw State produced nine base knocks. The team had two batters finish with multiple-hit performances.
Isaac Bouton led the way with a 2-for-3 afternoon. The third baseman blasted his third home run of the season and scored twice in the contest. Bouton also walked twice.
Spencer Hanson collected three hits and finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored. The designated hitter has hit safely in three-straight games.
Other notables included Nick Hassan (1-for-5, RBI), Zac Corbin (1-for-5, run scored), Jamarie Brooks (1-for-3, walk and RBI) and Nate Anderson (1-for-4)
KSU took the lead when Bouton launched his third homer of the season into the left field bleachers. This gave the Owls a 1-0 advantage after the first frame.
Clemson responded in the third and took a 3-1 lead courtesy of two home runs.
The Owls tied the ballgame with two runs in the fourth. Donovan Cash reached on an error and advanced to second on a base hit from Hanson. Hassan then slashed an RBI single to left and was followed by Brooks who lined a single up the middle to bring in a run and tie the score at three.
The Tigers regained the lead with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth to move ahead 5-3. Renfroe entered on the mound with two men on and recorded a huge strikeout to end the inning.
In the KSU fifth, Jackson Chirello walked and advanced to second on a single from Bouton. With two outs, Hanson reached on an infield single which scored Chirello after a throwing error from the Tigers.
The Owls took the lead in the seventh. Corbin led off the frame with a single to left field. He advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt and then scored on a passed ball from the Tigers' catcher. This tied the game, 5-5.
Bouton worked a walk and advanced to third on Hanson's third hit of the afternoon. With two outs in the inning, Hassan reached on a throwing error which scored Bouton and gave Kennesaw State a 6-5 advantage.
Clemson hit a solo shot in the eighth to tie the score at six. This marked the fourth point in the game in which the score was tied.
The Tigers scored two more in the frame to take an 8-6 lead which held as the final.
Kennesaw State baseball is back in action tomorrow for the final game of its series against No. 10 Clemson. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium and will be broadcasted live on ACC Network Extra.
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.
