LYNCHBURG, Va. - A five-run, two-homer seventh inning advanced No. 3 Kennesaw State past No. 7 New Mexico State, 10-5, in an elimination game at the 2025 Conference USA Championship Thursday morning inside Liberty Baseball Stadium.
Graduate designated hitter
Donovan Cash posted one of those two homers, breaking the Kennesaw State Division I single-season home run record with now on the 2025 season, surpassing his former teammate Cash Young
Suto joined Cash with the long ball production in the seventh frame that proved to be the difference following six innings of back-and-forth baseball between the Owls (30-26, 17-10 CUSA) and Aggies (23-33, 11-15 CUSA).
Cooper Williams also delivered a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with one walk and a triple Thursday.
How It Happened
The Aggies got the scoring started with a pair of runs in the first inning. Starter
Ty Bayer responded well by striking out NMSU in order for a quick second inning.
After a leadoff single from Williams and a double from
Wesley Alig, Suto ripped a single into left, tying the game at two in the bottom of the second. NMSU then made a pitching change and walked
Jackson Chirello on a 3-2 pitch. With Suto and Chirello in scoring position,
Shamaar McDuffie plated one run on a groundout followed by a wild pitch that scored the other - giving Kennesaw State a 4-2 advantage going into the third.
New Mexico State scored two in the fourth to tie the game again, this time at four apiece.
This time, Chirello reached base on a double at the bottom of the inning.
Aaron Posey then broke the game's tie with a double of his own to score Chirello from second, now 5-4. The Aggies kept pace in the top of the fifth, matching the Owls at five runs in the inning.
All tied in the bottom of the seventh,
Chris Cole popped a one-out single into center. With Cole on, Cash mashed a two-run jack to center to put KSU ahead, 7-5. Three pitches later, Williams sped around the bases for a triple down the left field line and scored on an Alig single. Now ahead 8-5, Suto launched a homer of his own into right, extending the Owl advantage to 10-5.
Smith Pinson and
Bo Rhudy entered in relief in the eighth and ninth frames, allowing no Aggie baserunners and securing the 10-5 win for Kennesaw State.
Spotlight Performances
- Thursday was Williams' eighth game with three hits or more this season.
- Alig joined Williams, Cash and Suto with his 21st multi-hit game of his freshman campaign.
- Four different Owls crossed home on multiple occasions Thursday.
- Chirello was one of the Owls with two runs on a 1-for-2 outing with two drawn walks.
- Harry Cain entered in relief in the fourth and pitched 3.2 frames allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out five.
Up Next
No. 3 Kennesaw State is set for another win-or-go-home game Friday, May 23 against No. 2 Western Kentucky or No. 6 FIU. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+ or the KSU Owl Network via the KSU Owls App.
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.
