By: Michael Pitts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kennesaw State baseball returns to the road for a three-game Atlantic Sun series against Queens beginning Friday, April 19.
KSU enters the weekend having won four of its five conference series this season and is 8-1 in series-opening contests in 2024. The Black and Gold are meeting the Royals for just the second time in program history.
The Owls home midweek contest against Georgia Southern was canceled due to rain.
SERIES INFORMATION
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (20-15, 10-5 ASUN) at Queens Royals (10-26, 6-9 ASUN)
Dates: April 19-20, 2024
Site: The Stick Williams Dream Fields
2024 Schedule/Results
GAME ONE
Date: Friday, April 19
Time: 6:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Braden Osbolt (3-2)
Queens Probable Starter: RHP Landry Jurecka (3-5)
Live Stats
GAME TWO
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 12:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Blake Aita (4-0)
Queens Probable Starter: TBD
Live Stats
GAME THREE
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 4:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Smith Pinson (2-5)
Queens Probable Starter: RHP Jack Renaud (0-2)
Live Stats
Note: All 2024 game dates, times and probable starters are subject to change.
Familiar Foes
KSU and Queens have met three times in series history - all coming last season. The Owls took two of three from the Royals, outscoring the ASUN opponent 26-13 in the three games.
No Donuts at Home
Inside the friendly confines of Stillwell Stadium, Kennesaw State baseball has not been shutout in 170 home contests - the third-longest streak in the country. The last time KSU was shutout at home came on Feb. 27, 2018. The Owls have not placed a zero on the home scoreboard under head coach
Ryan Coe.
Welcome to the Team
Coach Coe and KSU baseball welcomed Bobby Baird to the team in early April through the Team IMPACT organization. Bobby lives with a neuromuscular disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Click
here to learn more.
Switching It Up
On Sunday, April 14 vs. Central Arkansas, redshirt junior
Zac Corbin had two home runs - one from each side of the plate. The switch hitter launched his first from the left and his second from the right, becoming the first Owl in Kennesaw State's DI history to achieve the feat.
Not a Coe-incidence
On March 28 against Austin Peay, head coach Ryan Coe achieved his 75th win as the leader of KSU and his 40th inside The Shake. He surpassed Mike Sansing's record for fastest time to 75 Division I wins in KSU baseball history by five games.
Up for a Challenge
The Kennesaw State Owls are backing down from no challenges in the 2024 campaign. As of April 15, KSU has the 30th-toughest strength of schedule in the country and the eighth-toughest non-conference slate.
Power Five Slayers
Thus far in 2024, Kennesaw State baseball has produced some maruqee victories. On Feb. 23 at No. 10 Clemson, KSU routed the Tigers, 18-1, - the worst home loss for the Tigers since 1936. It also marked the Owls' highest-ranked win since Mar. 3, 2021 and the highest-ranked road win in KSU's DI history (since 2006). On March 8 and 9, KSU traveled to No. 25 Kentucky and took two of three from the Wildcats by scores of 13-1 and 10-2. As of April 15, Clemson and Kentucky are a combined 59-11 in 2024 - but 3-3 against Kennesaw 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.
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
KSU's road trip continues at Georgia Tech on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
The Owls' next game inside Stillwell Stadium is a rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 30. 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.
