MARIETTA, Ga. – A strong effort from the bullpen catapulted the Owls (3-5, 0-0 CUSA) past the Lions (1-2, 0-0 Ivy League) as KSU took its first series of the season Sunday afternoon with the 7-5 win.
Nate Anderson posted a career day as an Owl, falling a double away from hitting for the cycle.
Columbia threw the first punch in the beginning inning stringing together three base hits, scoring one run.
Nolan Sliver wiggled out of the bases-loaded jam with a massive strikeout to prevent a crooked score.
The Lions lead off the second saga with a home run to center field, creating a 2-0 lead. They pounced in the same inning for two more runs, extending to a four-run advantage.
Leading off the home half of the second inning,
Cam Suto hit a 421-foot solo bomb to left field, bringing the deficit to three runs.
With the bases loaded,
Wesley Alig came up big with a liner to center field, scoring Anderson and making it a 4-2 ballgame. It was the freshman's first career start at third base and sixth start overall, the most among Owl freshmen.
A two-out rally ignited the Owls at the bottom of the third as they scored two runs. Anderson twisted a triple down the right field line, scoring
Cooper Williams and Suto from first base. Anderson collected his third and fourth RBI of his season while bringing the game even 4-4.
The bottom of the fifth slingshot the Owls into the lead as Anderson clobbered a three-run homer to right field. The redshirt senior took a foul ball to the knee on the pitch prior and then blasted his second home run of the season lifting the Owls by three runs, 7-4.
It's the first game this season in which the Owls have multiple home runs.
Bo Rhudy entered the game with two runners on the bases in the top of the seventh inning as the Lions were mounting a possible comeback. Rhudy slashed through the first hitter getting a strikeout and forced a groundout to first base, leaving the bases loaded for Columbia.
Rhudy slammed the door shut compiling six strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work, earning his second save of the season. He ended the game with a bang as he struck out all three batters in the ninth inning, securing the Owls 7-5 victory.
Spotlight Performances
- Suto hammered his first home run as an Owl and the second for the Owls this season.
- Anderson with a triple and a home run, the first Owl to do so since Nick Colina Feb. 19, 2023 versus New Orleans. The outfielder ended the day with five RBI marking a career high as an Owl.
- Harry Cain was splendid in his relief appearance, being nearly untouchable in his three innings. The righty posted zero earned runs allowed, three strikeouts and earned the win. It's the first win of his career.
- Williams tallied his first career three-hit game posting two runs scored and a walk as well.
- Shamaar McDuffie showcased a three-hit performance, bumping his average up to .320.
- It's the second time this season KSU has erased a deficit of four runs or more as they've done so in back-to-back games.
- The bullpen was outstanding as they covered seven innings while only allowing one run.
Next Up
It's the first road game of the season as the Owls take on Georgia State Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Atlanta.
