By: Michael Pitts
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball returns to The Shake for its 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference home-opening series against Florida Gulf Coast inside Stillwell Stadium for three games beginning with a doubleheader Saturday, March 23. The Owls look to build on a 7-4 record in the month of March this season in addition to a 5-0 mark in series openers (minimum three games).
This weekend marks KSU's first home game since concluding a three-game set against Longwood on March 3. The series is also set to begin a season-long seven-game homestand for head coach
Ryan Coe's squad.
Game one was originally scheduled for Friday, March 22 but was adjusted due to weather in the forecast.
SERIES INFORMATION
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (11-9, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) vs. FGCU Eagles (10-10, 3-0 Atlantic Sun)
Dates: March 23-24, 2024
Site: Stillwell Stadium; Kennesaw, Ga.
KSU Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
2024 Schedule: Click Here
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
GAME ONE – Saturday, March 23
First Pitch: 12:00 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats
GAME TWO – Saturday, March 23
First Pitch: 4:30 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats
GAME THREE – Sunday, March 24
First Pitch: 1:00 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Note: Game dates and times are subject to change.
The Series
The two Atlantic Sun Conference foes have met 52 times in series history with FGCU holding a 32-20 advantage. The Black and Gold have won each of the last two meetings against the Eagles.
Starting Hot
Owl baseball is a force to be reckoned with when beginning a weekend series in 2024. The Black and Gold are 5-0 in series-opening contests this season and 3-0 when playing on Friday. Pitcher
Braden Osbolt is 2-0 on the last day of the week in 2024 and KSU has won all five games in which the sophomore starts.
Heating Up
On the road in SEC country, Kennesaw State defeated No. 25 Kentucky on back-to-back nights by impressive scores of 13-1 and 10-2, for its second and third ranked victories on the early 2024 season.
Brayden Eidson and Osbolt swept Atlantic Sun weekly honors for their performances, winning ASUN Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.
Tamed the Tigers
On Feb. 23, Kennesaw State defeated No. 10 Clemson 18-1 inside Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The victory marked the Owls' highest-ranked road victory in the team's Division I history. The results gave KSU its highest-ranked win since Mar. 3, 2021, when the team defeated No. 5 Georgia, 6-4 at Stillwell Stadium on the Kennesaw State campus. This also marked Clemson's worst home loss since 1936 (18-0 vs. Michigan State).
Bouton's Rare Feat
On Opening Day at UAB,
Isaac Bouton pulled off one of baseball's rarest feats. The senior blasted two home runs in the same inning against the Blazers. The third baseman led off with a solo shot, then added a three-run dinger later in the frame.
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.
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
Kennesaw State's seven-game homestand rolls on Tuesday, March 26 for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch against the in-state rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on ESPN+.
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.
