LYNCHBURG, Va. – Combating an early deficit, Kennesaw State (21-20, 11-5 CUSA) climbed out of a six-run hole to defeat the Liberty Flames (24-18, 6-10 CUSA) 10-9 Friday night at Worthington Field.
The Black and Gold extended their Conference USA winning streak to seven games. The streak is tied for the longest conference win streak of the Coe era (7 games – 2022).
How It Happened
The Flames came out firing as they posted three runs in the first inning.
Cam Suto ripped an inside fastball over the left field fence, leaving the yard for the first run for Kennesaw State.
An error with bases loaded on the throw to second base allowed two runs to score, giving Liberty a 5-1 lead in the third inning. A sacrifice fly lifted the Flames to a 6-1 advantage.
In the bottom of the fourth, Liberty blasted another solo home run to left central, taking a six-run lead.
Starting off the fifth,
Shamaar McDuffie kicked off the inning with a single to right field.
Nate Anderson then dribbled an infield single while McDuffie's heads-up base running allowed him to reach third base on the play. Anderson stole second base just two pitches later, and he was ruled out initially but the call was later overturned.
Chris Cole then sliced a two-RBI double down the left field line with an inside-out swing, making it a 6-3 game. Later in the inning, a wild pitch notched another run for KSU as Suto scored, bringing the game within three runs.
Wesley Alig and
Aaron Posey took consecutive walks to start the sixth inning. McDuffie was then pelted by a pitch in the backside, loading the bases. A run was scored thanks to a fielder's choice liner from Anderson, scoring Alig. Cole followed that up with a four-pitch walk, loading the bases for the second time in the inning. Cash's double tied the game.
Jackson Chirello mashed a double into right field, scoring two Owl runners and taking the 9-7 lead to cap a five-run sixth inning.
In the bottom half, a throwing error from the Owls allowed a run to cross, letting the Flames bring it within one going into the late innings.
The Flames were able to tie the game up at 9-9 in the seventh inning via the sacrifice fly.
Anderson knocked a lead-off double down the left field line in the eighth frame. Cole then singled in the infield toward the pitcher, putting the Owls at the corners with no outs. For the second time, the Owls took the lead with a double play scoring Anderson from third and registering the 10
th run of the game.
To finish the game,
Bo Rhudy slammed the door shut on the Flames punching out two hitters and finalizing a 10-9 win for Kennesaw State.
Spotlight Performances
- Suto's home run tied him for the team lead position with Cash, who had nine on the year.
- A six-run comeback is the second-largest deficit overcome in the Ryan Coe era and the second time they have done so this season.
- Reliever Halton Hardy was superb in his appearance, not allowing a run in his two innings. The senior compiled two strikeouts.
- The Owls have posted 10+ runs in five of the last seven Conference USA matchups.
- The Black and Gold extended their Conference USA winning streak to seven games. The streak is tied for the longest conference win streak of the Coe era (7 games – 2022).
- Rhudy secured his first save since Feb. 23 versus Columbia and remains atop the Owl staff with three saves.
- Three Owls registered two-hit games (Anderson, Cole & Chirello). The Owls advanced to 17-3 when nabbing between 10-14 hits in a single game.
- Daniel Powell continues his hot streak as he earned his third win of the season with 2.2 IP with just one earned run.
Next Up
Game two will begin at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
