By: Michael Pitts
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball concludes its six-game homestand with a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series against the Austin Peay Governors inside Stillwell Stadium beginning Thursday, March 28.
KSU has won four of its last six and is 9-5 this month. The Owls took two of three from both North Alabama and FGCU to open their conference slate. As of March 27, Owl baseball has an RPI of 35, the best in the ASUN Conference by 97 spots with the second-toughest non-conference schedule in the country. Seven of KSU's 13 wins this season are against teams with an RPI below 150.
Senior
Nick Hassan leads the conference with a .414 batting average with
Brayden Eidson in third at .407.
Blake Aita's 1.95 ERA is second in the ASUN and fourth in strikeouts with 35.
The Owls' midweek contest against Georgia Tech, originally set for Tuesday, March 26, was postponed with a make-up date to-be-determined.
SERIES INFORMATION
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (13-10, 4-2 Atlantic Sun) vs. Austin Peay Governors (15-9, 4-2 ASUN)
Dates: March 28-30, 2024
Site: Stillwell Stadium; Kennesaw, Ga.
KSU Game Notes
Purchase Tickets
2024 Schedule/Results
GAME ONE
Date: Thursday, March 28
Time: 6:00 p.m.
KSU Owl Network | Live Stats
KSU probable starter: RHP
Nolan Sliver (1-2)
APSU probable starter: RHP Lyle Miller-Green (3-0)
GAME TWO
Date: Friday, March 29
Time: 6:00 p.m.
KSU Owl Network | Live Stats
KSU probable starter: RHP
Braden Osbolt (2-0)
APSU probable starter: RHP Jacob Weaver (1-1)
GAME THREE
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 1:00 p.m.
KSU Owl Network | Live Stats
KSU probable starter: RHP
Blake Aita (3-0)
APSU probable starter: RHP Andrew Devine (4-0)
Note: All 2024 game dates, times and probable starters are subject to change.
The History
This weekend marks just the second series meeting between the two teams. The first three meetings occurred last season where the Governors took the series, 2-1. Every game in the series thus far has been played inside Stillwell Stadium.
Starting Hot
Owl baseball is a force to be reckoned with when beginning a weekend series in 2024. The Black and Gold are 6-0 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 six 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 begins a five-game road trip starting Tuesday, April 2 against the Mercer Bears.
The Owls return to The Shake for a three-game conference set against Central Arkansas beginning Friday, April 12. Fans can purchase tickets
here.
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.
