MARIETTA, Ga. – A monstrous eight-run inning buoyed Kennesaw State (19-19, 9-5 CUSA) to a 13-3 run-rule victory in the eight innings over FIU (22-16, 6-7 CUSA) Friday night at S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field.
In the fifth innings, the Owls went gangbusters as they slotted eight runs, five hits while batting around in the frame. A bases-clearing three-RBI double from
Donovan Cash lit the match for the second run-rule win of the season for the Black and Gold.
How It Happened
The Panther struck first with a solo run posted to jumpstart the game in the first inning.
The Owls registered an unorthodox score to fire back in the home half of the first. As a runner was on third,
Cooper Williams struck out at the plate but the ball deflected away from the FIU catcher, allowing
Chris Cole to score.
The wackiness continued into the third stanza in favor of Kennesaw State. As
Nate Anderson took his lead off of first base, a wild pickoff attempt rocketed into foul territory, allowing him to reach third base. The throw toward third base then catapulted off the FIU third baseman, leaving room for Anderson to score on two errors from the Panthers.
Errors continued to run rampant as KSU's error from third base allowed the second panther to score in the top of the fourth, making it 2-2.
The fifth inning proved to be mighty for the Owls as they plated eight runs on the board. The frame began with a walk to Posey and Anderson while Cole was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Cash then roped a double into the left-center gap, emptying he bases paths and giving the Owls a 5-2 lead. KSU's Williams then sliced a single past the first baseman to score Cash. A
Cam Suto single put runners on the corners as the Owl threat continued. Chirello scored an RBI with a hroundout to third base, scoring Williams. Moving down the lineup,
Wesley Alig then hammered a single into center field, scoring Suto. Capping off the massive inning was Anderson with an RBI single and Cole nabbing the eighth run of the stanza with a bases loaded walk. Going into the sixth inning, the Owls were up 10-2.
FIU scored a run of their own with a solo jack to left field in the top sixth.
KSU was able to secure runs in each of the following innings with a Chirello solo home run in the sixth, a Williams RBI single in the seventh and a walk-off Chirello homer in the eighth.
Kennesaw State defeated FIU 13-3 in run-rule fashion in the eighth inning to extend the winning streak to six games.
Spotlight Performances
- Chirello has compounded four home runs in his last four games, with the lefty posting a pair of two-home run games, a career first. His home run in the eighth inning walked the Owls off in their second run-rule victory. The junior ended his night with an addition of three RBI and two runs.
- Cain tied his career-high with seven innings pitched in back-to-back starts (April 12 vs. Sam Houston). The righty sent away eight FIU hitters via strikeout.
- 10 walks is the highest total the Owls have taken since game one versus Columbia (Feb. 21). It's the highest walk total KSU has garnered in a win. Anderson and Posey were the catalysts for patience at the plate as the upperclassmen both snagged three walks apiece. It's the first and second time in their respective careers that they compiled three walks in a game.
- Cash split the game wide-open for the Owls with his three RBI bases-clearing double in the fifth inning.
- Williams ended his evening with a solid performance, solidifying two hits, two RBI and a run.
- Alig extended his team-high reached-base streak to 22 games as he found the base paths three times.
- KSU is 15-3 this year when tallying between 10-14 hits as a team. The Owls have won all six games when they score 10 or more runs.
- It's the third six-game winning streak of the Ryan Coe era. Another win would mark the first seven-game streak in his time as coach.
- Bo Rhudy was dominant in his lone inning, striking out all three batters while two were caught looking.
- Five of the Owls' eight lead-off hitters reached base (.625).
Next Up
The Owls seek their second sweep of the season versus FIU Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
