MARIETTA, Ga. – A balanced attack secured Kennesaw State's (10-14, 2-1 CUSA) first Conference USA series win after taking down Western Kentucky (21-3, 1-2 CUSA) at home in the series finale.
The Black and Gold were propelled by strong pitching and a three-hit day from
Donovan Cash. The pitching staff held Conference USA's top-scoring offense to just two runs while Cash blasted a solo homer while adding a pair of doubles and RBI.
How It Happened
The Owls set the tone early in the first inning as
Chris Cole led off the game with a bunt single down the first base line. After a sacrifice bunt put him in a scoring position, Cash ripped his first double of the day as he cranked one into deep right center, bouncing onto the warning track to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.
Responding in the top of the second inning was Western Kentucky as they belted the game's first home run, tying it at 1-1.
A counter punch was thrown from the Owls in the home half as freshman
Evan Holstein gave the Owls their second lead of the game. As
Cam Suto stood on first base, Holstein drilled the ball past the third baseman and into the corner, scoring Suto and keeping the train moving for KSU. Cole then added on another RBI and he also doubled down the left field line, scoring Holstein and jumping to a 3-1 advantage.
The final run scored for Western Kentucky came in the third inning with a sacrifice fly, bringing the game to 3-2 going into the fourth inning.
Efficiency was the name of the game for KSU as they collected their biggest inning in the third. Cash began the stanza with a double to right-center which was followed by a
Jackson Chirello walk. Freshman
Wesley Alig pounded a double toward the left field line, scoring both runners and lifting KSU to a 5-2 lead. Compiling success in the inning was Suto while he singled to left central, scoring Alig and pushing KSU's lead to four runs.
Entering the game in the fourth inning was relief pitcher
Bo Rhudy. Inheriting two runners on and two outs, he forced the fly out to retire the side and maintain the 6-2 advantage. He was nearly unhittable the rest of the way as he pitched 4.1 innings while only allowing three hits in his scoreless outing.
The sophomore's biggest jam came in the eighth inning when we wiggled out allowing two runners to reach base. With runners at second and third base, Rhudy sliced through back-to-back hitters, getting two strikeouts.
In the home half of the eighth, KSU was able to tack on one more thanks to a throwing error from the WKU shortstop, allowing Alig to cross the plate.
Nate Helman slammed the door shut for KSU securing their second Conference USA win of the season.
Spotlight Performances
- Cash's tear continues as he went 3-5 with three extra-base hits all while climbing loser toward the all-time DI leaders in RBI and home runs. After today's game, the senior is just three RBI (149) away from breaking the RBI record and two away from breaking the home run record (28).
- Cole also tallied a three-hit game, it's his third of the season, a team-high. The senior reached base four times earning a walk and two runs scored.
- Getting his first start of the year, Smith Pinson tampered the WKU offense through his 3.2 innings of work, racking up four punchouts and allowing just one run.
- Rhudy strung together an impressive outing going 4.1 innings deep without allowing a run. It was the second-longest outing of his career and the most pitches thrown from the righty this season.
- Freshmen Alig and Holstein packed a punch at the plate today garnering three combined hits, two doubles and three RBI.
- KSU handed WKU their second and third loss of the season.
- The pitching staff held the top-scoring CUSA team to just two runs on the day while the lineup popped eight runs on the nation's second-best pitching staff in ERA.
- The Owls extended their streak of 189 consecutive home games played without being shut out.
Next Up
Kennesaw State will seek revenge versus Georgia Tech tuesday night at home after dropping the first midweek in The Flats earlier in the season.
