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STATESBORO, Ga. - Childhood neighbors James McGee and Nolan Sliver each played a major role in Kennesaw State's 7-5 win over Georgia Southern on Tuesday at J.I. Clements Stadium.
Sliver made his first start since March 2, 2025, striking out six Eagles over 4.0 innings. The senior right-hander allowed two runs and became the second Owl this season to record at least six strikeouts in a game.
McGee delivered the first three-hit performance of his career, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double and a walk. The sophomore catcher hit the first two long balls of his career and became the first Owl to record a multi-homer game in 2026.
The Owls (4-3) used eight pitchers and recorded a season-high 15 strikeouts while issuing just three walks. Georgia Southern (0-8) tallied 13 hits on the night, but only four went for extra bases. KSU limited the Eagles to 4-for-20 (.200) with runners on base and 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position, stranding 11.
How it Happened
- T2 | Jackson Chirello opened the inning with his sixth double of the season before Wesley Alig was hit by a pitch. After a lengthy at-bat, Charlie Jones deposited a 3-2 breaking ball over the left-center field wall. Two batters later, McGee laced a solo homer to left field (4-0, Kennesaw State).
- T3 | After Grayson McCollum reached on an error and Chirello singled, a wild pitch put the two men in scoring position for Alig, who singled up the middle to score both (6-0)
- B4 | Georgia Southern scored two runs on three hits to get on the scoreboard (6-2).
- T6 | McGee lifted another solo shot, this time to left-center field, to extend KSU's advantage (7-2).
- B8 | A couple of singles and a sacrifice fly allowed the Eagles to add a run (7-3).
- B9 | Back-to-back solo shots pulled Georgia Southern to within two runs (7-5).
Notes from the Diamond
- KSU earned its first win in Statesboro since March 14, 2023.
- The Owls secured back-to-back wins over Georgia Southern for the first time since 2023.
- Tuesday marked the second time this season that Kennesaw State launched three homers in a game.
- Chirello's second-inning double was the 46th of his career, tied for the fourth-most in KSU's Division I history.
- McGee's second-inning homer was the first of his career.
- Sliver worked a season-high 4.0 innings and struck out a season-high six batters
- Alig and McCollum advanced their reached base streaks to seven games each
Next Up
Kennesaw State returns to Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field on Friday, Feb. 27, to open an eight-game homestand. The series opener against No. 20 West Virginia is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start and will stream on ESPN+.
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.
