By: Michael Pitts
MACON, Ga. – For the second time so far this season, Kennesaw State baseball is set to face in-state foe Mercer for a midweek contest, this time at the home of the Bears set for Tuesday, April 2.
The showdown comes after KSU took two of three from Atlantic Sun Conference foe Austin Peay incuding a 7-5 win in game one that gave head coach
Ryan Coe his 75th win at Kennesaw State. Senior
Brayden Eidson proved to be the hero in game three with an RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the 10th, securing a series-clinching 12-11 win for the Black and Gold.
The Owls have won each of their three ASUN series this season.
Mercer took the earlier meeting between the teams back in February, 9-3 inside Stillwell Stadium.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (15-11, 6-3 Atlantic Sun) vs. Mercer Bears (15-11, 1-2 SoCon)
Date/Time: April 2, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
Site: OrthoGeorgia Park
ESPN+ | Live Stats
KSU probable Starter: RHP
Bo Rhudy (3-0)
Mercer probable Starter: LHP Fred Wilson (0-2)
KSU Game Notes |
Mercer Game Notes
2024 Schedule/Results: Click Here
Note: All 2024 game dates, times and probable starters are subject to change.
The Series
Tuesday marks the 41st all-time meeting between the squads, with Mercer holding a 26-14 series advantage. The last time the two met in Macon was April 12 last season, where the Owls took home a 12-5 win. A victory for the Owls evens the team's road record in the series at 11-11.
Starting Hot
Owl baseball is a force to be reckoned with when beginning a weekend series in 2024, as the Black and Gold are 7-0 in series-opening contests this season.
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
The Owls' road trip carries on to the site of the 2024 ASUN Championship in DeLand, Fla. for three games against the Stetson Hatters beginning Friday, April 5.
KSU returns to The Shake on Friday, April 12 for game one of a three-game series against Central Arkansas. 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.
