By: Michael Pitts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The final Atlantic Sun series of the month of April for Kennesaw State baseball is due up against the Bellarmine Knights, beginning with game one of three on Friday, April 26.
Catcher
Nick Hassan leads the Black and Gold, batting .500 in his last five games with eight hits, nine RBI and a .938 SLUG%.
Zac Corbin enters the weekend having reached base in each of his last eight games.
The Owls have won six of their last seven ASUN Conference series dating back to the 2023 campaign.
Kennesaw State boasts a 6-1 all-time record against the Knights.
SERIES INFORMATION
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (22-17, 12-6 ASUN) at Bellarmine Knights (6-34, 5-13 ASUN)
Dates: April 26-28, 2024
Site: Knights Field
KSU Game Notes
2024 Schedule/Results
GAME ONE
Date: Friday, April 26
Time: 3:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Braden Osbolt (3-2)
BU Probable Starter: RHP Sam Matherly (0-2)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
GAME TWO
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 3:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Blake Aita (4-1)
BU Probable Starter: RHP Cooper Hellman (1-4)
Live Stats
GAME THREE
Date: Sunday, April 28
Time: 1:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Smith Pinson (2-5)
BU Probable Starter: TBD
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Note: All 2024 game dates, times and probable starters are subject to change.
Familiar Foes
The Owls lead the all-time series with the Knights, 6-1. Kennesaw State is 6-0 against Bellarmine as an NCAA Division I program. KSU took all three games at BU a season ago, outscoring the Knights 19-10 in those 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.
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 25, Clemson and Kentucky are a combined 69-15 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
The Owls' next game on the diamond will be inside Stillwell Stadium in a rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 30. Fans can purchase tickets
here.
