MARIETTA, Ga. – Kennesaw State (28-25, 16-9 CUSA) capitalized on MTSU's (23-31, 8-18 CUSA) miscues on Mickey Dunn Day to secure the 7-4 league win Friday night.
After his two-run dinger, Williams has now notched back-to-back games with a home run, the first time in his career.
How It Happened
Beginning the second chapter,
Wesley Alig slashed a single up in the middle of the defense.
Cooper Williams then doubled over the right fielder's head, setting up a
Chris Cole walk to load the bases. With nowhere to put him, the MTSU hit Anderson with the pitch, sending across the first run.
MTSU tallied three runs at the top of the third inning.
In the third inning, Alig slashed another double to right field but two Owls were thrown out at the plate, wiping away two potential Owl runs. Williams blasted a two-run tank over the right-center field fence, tying the game three apiece.
The Blue Raiders scratched another run across in the top of the fourth, taking the one-run advantage.
Back-to-back walks jolted the home half of the fifth inning as Cash and Chirello both remained patient at the dish. Williams then took a wall to juice the bases for
Cam Suto. Suto took ball four to earn the walk, evening the score at four.
James McGee was hit by pitch on the first pitch of the sixth inning.
Jamarie Brooks pinch ran for the catcher. Anderson was walked, allowing for a
Shamaar McDuffie sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Cash was intentionally walked for the third time in the series. Chirello dribbled a ball through the legs of the MTSU first baseman, bringing two around on the error. With Cash now on third base, Alig's sacrifice liner to left field put KSU up by three.
Bo Rhudy sealed his fifth save of the year, carving through the MTSU hitters to finalize a 7-4 victory.
Spotlight Performances
- The pitching staff racked up a season high in punch outs with 15, besting their tally of 14 recorded four times.
- Williams has now notched back-to-back games with a home run, the first time in his career.
- Ryan Gold fended off the MTSU attack with a near-flawless performance. His 3.2 showcased zero earned runs and a whopping eight strikeouts, a career high.
- Cash was not given many pitches to hit as he took three walks but scored two runs.
- Alig, Williams and Suto all recorded two base knocks each.
- Brooks appeared in a game for the first time since May 6 versus West Georgia.
Next Up
Regular season play wraps up with the series finale versus MTSU at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Owls have clinched a spot in the Conference USA tournament.
