MARIETTA, Ga. – Chiseling his name into the record books,
Donovan Cash's two-home run game hoisted Kennesaw State (26-25, 14-9 CUSA) to a 6-4 win over Georgia Southern (27-26, 13-14 Sun Belt) in the midweek season finale Tuesday night.
Cash shattered the all-time KSU career RBI record previously held by Bo Counts (190) with a six-RBI game. It's the fourth time this season he has tallied a six-RBI performance and it's the graduate's first all-time ledger.
How It Happened
An incredible moment opened up the ballgame as
Tyler Franks pinch-hit for
Ty Bayer to lead off the game. Franks, in his first plate appearance since 2023, roped the first pitch into the right field corner for a double.
Chris Cole then substituted out for Franks for the remainder of the tilt. Shortly after,
Nate Anderson battled with the GS pitcher, earning a walk.
Cash then pulled an eye-level fastball to left-center field, leaving the park for a three-run round-tripper. The homer signified his 191
st career RBI, breaking an all-time Kennesaw State record.
The Eagles answered in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs to tie the game up.
The Owls would not be denied in the home half of the fourth inning. Kickstarting the frame was
Shamaar McDuffie with a looping single into center field. Anderson snuck a bunt single to second base, once again displaying two runners leading to the Cash at-bat.
Cash walloped another three-run jack over the right-center field fence, jolting the Owls to a three-run lead once again.
Reliever
Smith Pinson was flowing through the game, sitting down Eagle batters left and right until he hit a snag in the seventh.
In the seventh inning, Southern was able to chip into the lead with one run across.
Ryan Renfroe was able to secure the third out of the inning with the bases loaded, halting the Eagles.
Closer
Bo Rhudy slammed the door shut on the Eagles' chances after seeing the go-ahead run come up to the player. A pop-up to McDuffie cemented KSU's 6-4 win over Ga. Southern Tuesday night.
Spotlight Performances
- Tyler Franks' double was a special moment as he earned his first at-bat and hit since 2023.
- Cash shattered the all-time career RBI record previously held by Bo Counts (190) with a six-RBI game. It's the fourth time this season he has tallied a six-RBI performance. It's the first all-time ledger that the senior holds.
- With a two-homer showcase, Cash also tied the single-season home run record in D-I history, tying former teammate Cash Young (2022) with 17.
- Pinson was slicing through the Eagle hitters, striking out the side in the fourth and tallying nine total, tying a season high for Pinson.
- Rhudy notched his fourth save of the season, extending his season high. The hard-throwing righty hasn't surrendered a run in his last 8.1 innings.
Next Up
The Owls will complete their regular season slate with a three-game homestand versus MTSU beginning Thursday at 6 p.m.
