CARROLLTON, Ga. – Part two of the saga between the Owls (25-22, 15-6 CUSA) and the Wolves (18-27, 9-15 Atlantic Sun) heavily favored KSU as they notched 17 runs in the seven-inning run-rule win at Cole Field Tuesday night.
The run total is the highest midweek scoring tally of the Coe era and the most in a non-conference game since the Owls won 19-14 over Long Island University (Feb. 25, 2023). Catapulting KSU's offense was
Donovan Cash, who blasted two big flies, marking his third and fourth homers in his previous two games.
How It Happened
Initial confusion began the game as
Nate Anderson smacked a fly ball down the right field line. Appearing foul at first glance, the ball twisted fair to put the Owls up 1-0 with a lead-off home run.
The second inning was packed with runs for the Owls as
Cam Suto,
Cooper Williams,
Aaron Posey and
Shamaar McDuffie all singled, scoring two runs. A
Chris Cole infield bunt single toward third base, loaded the bases for the Owl's hottest hitter,
Donovan Cash. Cash then scorched a home run over the left field wall, leaving no doubt about his grand slam lifting the Owls by seven.
Suto reached base again as he walked to kickstart the third inning, stealing second base moments later. Williams compounded his second base knock with a double into the left-center alley. Struggling to find his command, West Georgia pitcher surrendered another walk to Posey. McDuffie kept the momentum going as he singled through the left side of the infield. With runners on second and third, a dirt ball from UWG, brought another run across for the Owls, making it 9-0.
Two batters later, Cole hammered an inside-the-park home run to center field, scoring two more runs. The UWG center fielder collided with the fence, leaving the ball unattended for the remainder of the play. An infield base hit from Alig led to an error from the Wolves third baseman, scoring an additional pair of runs, putting KSU up 14-0.
Another extra base hit was added to the tally from Suto with a double into the left field corner, scoring Alig and lifting the Owls by 15.
KSU pitching was on point as the first Wolf to reach base wasn't until the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, Cash left the yard yet again with a two-run opposite field blast, scoring the 16
th and 17
th run for KSU.
The Wolves scored their first run at the bottom of the sixth, preventing the shutout.
The Owls kept their foot on the pedal, finishing the job with a 17-1 victory.
Spotlight Performances
- Anderson pounded his 10th home run of the season and his first lead-off home run. He is the second Owl to reach double digits in homers.
- Cash has pummeled his third and fourth home run over his last two games and his second grand slam of the season (West Virginia – March 8); Also signaling his second six-RBI game. Cash has 38 career dingers, placing fourth in all-time program history. He is knocking on the door of all-time status in RBI with 187 driven-in through his career; The current record is held by Bo Counts with 190. His 15th home run of the season is tied for second in single-season D-I history.
- Cole collected his first home run since May 2, 2023 at Georgia.
- Through the first three innings, the Black and Gold had 14 runs on 14 hits. The 17-run total is the highest the Owls have accrued since their 21-1 win over Bellarmine on April 27, 2024. It's also the most hits the team captured on the '25 campaign.
- Smith Pinson carved in his start, going three innings deep with five punchouts.
- The Owls are 12-0 this season and 45-4 in the Coe era when scoring 10 or more runs in a game.
- Suto posted a solid day, nabbing three hits, three RBI and two runs. He notched his 10th multi-hit game of the season.
Next Up
The Owls take to the road to face Dallas Baptist in a three-game weekend series in Dallas starting Friday evening.
