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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Kennesaw State baseball suffered its first loss of the season Friday night, falling 9-3 to No. 12 Florida at Condron Ballpark.
After a slow start at the plate, the Owls found momentum in the eighth inning, scoring three runs on three hits to avoid the shutout. Wesley Alig was the lone Owl to record multiple base hits in the loss, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Jackson Chirello, James McGee and Shamaar McDuffie added a hit each, while Trenton Lyons and Grayson McCollum both walked once and drove in a run.
How it Happened
- B2 | An error and a line-drive home run to right field put the Gators on the scoreboard (2-0, Florida).
- B3 | A pair of one-out walks came around to score (4-0, Florida).
- B5 | After a leadoff walk and a single, the Gators manufactured two more runs (6-0, Florida).
- B7 | Florida added to its advantage with a two-run home run (8-0, Florida).
- T8 | Chirello and McGee opened the frame with back-to-back singles before McDuffie laced a double to left-center, scoring Chirello. Productive outs by Lyons and McCollum brought home McGee and McDuffie (8-3, Florida).
- B8 | Florida answered with a leadoff homer (9-3, Florida).
Notes from the Diamond
- Chirello continued his strong defensive play, throwing out a runner at the plate.
- McDuffie's eighth-inning RBI double was his second of the season, already matching his 2025 total.
- Nolan McKinstry and Nolan Sliver both turned in scoreless relief appearances.
- Freshmen relief arms Nolan Bethel and Davis Harper made their first collegiate appearances in the loss.
Next Up
Kennesaw State looks to even the series Saturday at Condron Ballpark. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. with the game again airing on SEC Network+.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
