By: Michael Pitts
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State is set to end an era this week with the final three games inside the longtime home of Owl baseball, Stillwell Stadium, beginning Thursday, May 16 and concluding Saturday, May 18 for a series against the Lipscomb Bisons
This week also marks the final regular season games for KSU as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Black and Gold square off with Lipscomb for meetings 58-60 in the all-time series this weekend.
Friday's game two contest was adjusted to a doubleheader on May 16 beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Owls' scheduled contest against future Conference USA foe Jacksonville State was canceled due to weather.
Kennesaw State joins CUSA effective July 1, 2024. KSU has been a member of the ASUN since moving to Division I in 2005.
THURSDAY, MAY 16 - Sponsored by Tokio Marine HCC
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (26-23, 16-10 ASUN) vs. Lipscomb Bisons (21-29, 15-12 ASUN)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: RHP
Blake Aita (5-3)
Lipscomb Probable Starter: RHP Alex Brewer (5-3)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
KSU Game Notes
2024 Schedule/Results
Purchase Tickets
THURSDAY, MAY 16 - Sponsored by Tokio Marine HCC
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (26-23, 16-10 ASUN) vs. Lipscomb Bisons (21-29, 15-12 ASUN)
Time: 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one
KSU Probable Starter: TBD
Lipscomb Probable Starter: RHP Jake Poindexter (4-4)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
KSU Game Notes
2024 Schedule/Results
Purchase Tickets
SATURDAY, MAY 18 - Sponsored by Wellstar
Matchup: Kennesaw State Owls (26-23, 16-10 ASUN) vs. Lipscomb Bisons (21-29, 15-12 ASUN)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
KSU Probable Starter: TBD
Lipscomb Probable Starter: TBD
ESPN+ | Live Stats
KSU Game Notes
2024 Schedule/Results
Purchase Tickets
Note: All 2024 game dates and times are subject to change.
Celebrating Stillwell Stadium
Kennesaw State baseball is celebrating The Shake this week with fun promotions for fans.
On Thursday, a limited giveaway item headlines the series-opening doubleheader a 2014 Kennesaw State baseball jersey replica koozie. KSU went 40-24 ten years ago en route to earning the 2014 NCAA Tallahassee Regional crown.
Saturday, the final game inside Stillwell Stadium, will have two limited gate giveaways for fans: a 1994 KSU baseball jersey replica koozie and a commemorative Stillwell Stadium pennant. KSU's 1994 baseball team won the NAIA National Championship and was headlined by current KSU head coach and first All-American in Owl baseball history,
Ryan Coe.
Kennesaw State will also honor the Stillwell family prior to first pitch. Fans can enjoy postgame festivites on the field following the final game at The Shake, weather permitting.
Familiar Foes
KSU and Lipscomb have met 57 times with the Owls holding a slim 29-28 lead. Kennesaw State has won six of the last seven meetings between the two at The Shake.
No Donuts at Home
Inside the friendly confines of Stillwell Stadium, Kennesaw State baseball has not been shutout in 173 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 May 13, Clemson and Kentucky are a combined 74-24 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. Delaware and Missouri State join CUSA on July 1, 2025.
On Deck
The Black and Gold begin their run in the 2024 Atlantic Sun Championship with pool play starting Tuesday, May 21 in DeLand, Fla.
