MORGANTOWN, W.V. – For the first time since 2019, Kennesaw State (6-10, 0-0 CUSA) took down a BIG12 opponent as they defeated West Virginia (13-1, 0-0 BIG12) 13-9 Saturday evening.
KSU handed the Mountaineers their first loss of the season as West Virginia was just one of five undefeated teams in the country. A monstrous final stanza catapulted the Owls as
Cam Suto and
Donovan Cash both demolished home runs to cap a six-run ninth inning.
How It Happened
Cash kicked things off with a double through the middle, bringing in
Nate Anderson and
Chris Cole for an early two-run lead in the top of the first.
West Virginia quickly responded with a home run to left field, narrowing the gap 2-1 going into the second inning.
In the third inning, Suto and
Landon Tate both delivered key RBI singles to left field boasting a three-run lead going into the home half.
The Mountaineers found their groove in the third inning, scoring five runs and taking the lead back with a 6-4 ballgame.
Patience was a virtue for KSU in the fourth as
Shamaar McDuffie and
Nate Anderson took back-to-back walks. A
Chris Cole single then loaded the bases. After a Cash ground ball scored a run,
Jackson Chirello hammered a single into right field, bringing across the second run of the inning for Kennesaw State.
West Virginia scored a single run in the home half of the fifth inning.
Cash singled past third base in the sixth inning, forcing an error and creating a 7-7 game.
The hometown team posted a pair of runs in the seventh, going into the ninth inning with a 9-7 lead over the Owls.
A fire was lit under the Owls in the final inning as they popped off for a season-high six-run inning. It all began with
Cooper Williams reaching base via the error from the WV second baseman. Suto came up to the plate and blasted a 400-plus foot home run to tie the game 9-9 with no outs.
After back-to-back outs for the Owls,
Shamaar McDuffie ignited the Owl's flame yet again. The shortstop recorded an infield single, keeping the inning alive and starting the second surge for KSU. After
Nate Anderson was hit by a pitch and
Chris Cole was intentionally walked, it set up the table for Cash in one of the highest-leverage moments of the season. The senior cranked a grand slam to deep center field, scoring four runs and lifting the Owls to a 13-9 lead.
Ryan Renfroe was shut down in the final inning, allowing one hit but nothing further. The Owls held their momentum, securing the 13-9 win in thrilling fashion in Morgantown, W.V.
Spotlight Performances
- Cash delivered the second grand slam of the season for the Owls, marking his fourth in the last six games. Cash is now in sole possession of second place among the KSU D-I all-time career leaders with 27 long balls. He ended the day with three base hits and six RBI, tied for the most on any Owl in a single game this season. Cash has also posted 145 career RBI, the second most in D-I program history, just seven away from breaking Ronnie Freeman's record of 151.
- Suto clobbered a 425-foot home run, showcasing three home runs in his last five games. He now has four on the year, tied for the team lead with Cash.
- Ryan Renfroe was untouchable in his three innings of work. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed just one hit while compiling four strikeouts in a winning performance.
- Infielder Landon Tate earned his first collegiate start as he was slated in the seventh spot in the lineup. He accrued his first career RBI with a line single in the third inning.
- The bats totaled a season-high of 12 runs scored off 14 hits. KSU is 41-28 under coach Ryan Coe when compiling 10-14 hits in a game.
- The lineup hit .417 (10-24) with runners on base and.400 (6-15) with two outs in the inning.
- It's Owl's second win versus a power-four opponent this year.
- It's the second time this year the Owls have posted a six-run inning (2/28 Vs. Samford).
- Coach Ryan Coe now sits at 99 career wins.
Next Up
The rubber match will take place at noon on Sunday as the Owls seek their first power-four series win of the year.
