By: Michael Pitts
ATLANTA – Kennesaw State baseball is set to renew its rivalry with in-state opponent Georgia Tech Tuesday night after taking two of three from Atlantic Sun foe Queens this past weekend.
KSU and the Yellow Jackets will meet for the 36th time in series history with the Owls seeking their fifth all-time win on the Flats.
The Owls rallied back in both of their victories Friday and Saturday, including stellar performances from relief pitcher
Tanner Franklin and senior
Nick Hassan. KSU set a new DI program record with 15 drawn walks at the plate in its 11-8 series-clinching victory.
Kennesaw State is 2-2 against GT under head coach
Ryan Coe.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (22-16, 12-6 Atlantic Sun) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (24-14, 9-9 ACC)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Site: Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
ACC Network Extra | Live Stats
KSU Game Notes | GT Game Notes
Note: All 2024 game dates, times and probable starters are subject to change.
Familiar Foes
The Black and Gold are set to meet Georgia Tech for the 36th time in series history. The Yellow Jackets hold a 25-10 advantage and a 24-9 record since KSU moved to Division I in 2005-06. KSU has won against GT in Atlanta in two of the past three seasons and are 2-2 vs. the in-state rival under Coe.
The two squads were set to meet earlier in the season at Stillwell Stadium but the contest was postponed due to rain.
No Donuts at Home
Inside the friendly confines of Stillwell Stadium, Kennesaw State baseball has not been shutout in an ASUN-best 170 home contests. 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.
Mr. 200
On April 20 against the Queens Royals, senior Nick Hassan blasted an RBI single to left for his 200th career hit at Kennesaw State. He became just the 10th Owl in KSU's DI history to achieve the feat.
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.
Power Five Slayers
Thus far in 2024, Kennesaw State baseball has produced some marquee 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 20, Clemson and Kentucky are a combined 64-13 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
Kennesaw State's road trip concludes with three games in Louisville, Ky. against the Bellarmine Knights beginning Friday, April 26.
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.
