LYNCHBURG, Va. - Kennesaw State baseball's run as the No. 3 seed in the 2025 Conference USA tournament began with a setback to No. 6 Florida International, 9-3, Wednesday morning inside Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.Â
Donovan Cash provided the only RBI for the Black and Gold in its first CUSA tourney game, collecting two hits and one double.
How It Happened
FIU got the scoring started in the opening frame, accruing a 1-0 lead out of the gate.
Chris Cole's bunt single in the bottom of the inning marked KSU's first hit of the contest.
KSU starter
Daniel Powell sat down five FIU batters via punchout in the first two innings. FIU added three more in the third to go up 4-0.
With one out in the third,
Nate Anderson singled, followed by Cole's second hit of the day - this time a double - to put two in scoring position. On a 0-2 pitch, Cash ripped a double of his own to left to get the Black and Gold on the scoreboard, 4-2. The Panthers extended their lead to 7-2 in the fourth.
Anderson and Cole added one-out walks in the bottom of the sixth to set up Cash, who sent a ball into right field to cut the deficit to four, 7-3. FIU went back up 9-3 in the seventh.
The Panthers held on in the final three frames to take the 9-3 victory.
Spotlight Performances
- Powell struck out seven through 3.1 innings of action Wednesday.
- Cash has reached base in 11 consecutive contests. He is now second in Division I career hits with 264.
- Cole (2-for-4) joined Cash as the two Owls with a multi-hit game. He tallied one double.
- Anderson reached base in all but one trip to the plate Wednesday with two walks and one base hit.
- Anderson's hit streak now stands at six games. He has reached safely in nine-straight.
Next Up
No. 3 Kennesaw State will face either No. 2 Western Kentucky or No. 7 New Mexico State in a win-or-go-home contest Thursday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m. Fans can catch the action on the KSU Owls App or ESPN+.
Name Your Seat at Mickey Dunn Stadium
Kennesaw State baseball is preparing to take the field inside its new home of Mickey Dunn Stadium next year. Be a part of history by participating in the Named Seat Program, that allows the chance to establish a legacy at Mickey Dunn Stadium. Each individual seat can be named by making a $5,000 commitment payable over a maximum of five years and commemorated by placing the donor's name on the individual chairback seat. Over 300 are available for purchase and will be initially assigned by The Owls Fund priority. Improve the experience of our baseball student-athletes and help KSU achieve national prominence. Click here for more information.
