Kennesaw State (11-10, 2-4 CUSA) at Delaware (10-15, 1-5 CUSA)
Location: Newark, Del. | Bob Hannah Stadium
Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, March 29 at 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball hits the road this weekend looking to secure its first Conference USA series victory of the season as it faces conference newcomer Delaware for the first time in program history.
Pitching Matchups
Last Time Out
Kennesaw State earned its highest-ranked win in program history on Tuesday, March 24, defeating No. 4 Georgia, 10-7, at Foley Field in Athens. The win snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Bulldogs and marked KSU's first victory in Athens since 2017. It also was the program's first win over a Top 10 opponent since Feb. 23, 2024, when the Owls defeated No. 10 Clemson, 18-1.
Nolan Sliver, Ty Bayer (W, 3-2) and Harry Cain (Sv, 2) held the nation's top offense to seven runs, keeping Georgia scoreless through the first six innings. Sliver tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in a short start before Bayer limited the Bulldogs over his first four innings of relief. Though Bayer ran into trouble in the seventh, he totaled 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out four. Cain earned the save after entering with the tying run on deck in the seventh, striking out Cole Johnson to leave the bases loaded. He finished the final 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four.
Reliable Backstops
KSU's everyday catching duo of James McGee and Aaron Posey has quietly produced strong starts to the 2026 season. Posey enters the weekend hitting .382 (13-for-34) with an eight-game hitting streak, adding three doubles and three home runs. The Wexford, Pa., native entered the season with three career homers and matched that total in 13 games.
McGee also has started strong, hitting .291 (16-for-55) with four doubles and a team-high four home runs in 20 appearances.
Defensively, the duo has controlled the running game effectively, allowing 14 stolen bases in 22 attempts (.636). McGee leads with six caught stealings, while Posey has thrown out two runners.
Finding His Friday Night Form
Cooper McMullen has found his rhythm, going 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA (4 ER/15.1 IP) across his last three starts. The Georgia Tech transfer allowed one run over 5.0 innings in the CUSA opener at Middle Tennessee before throwing 5.0 shutout innings against Liberty on March 20. Each of his March starts has lasted at least 5.0 innings with three or fewer runs allowed.
In conference play, McMullen owns a 0.90 ERA (1 ER/10 IP) and is one of three starters with a sub-1.00 ERA through two league starts.
Death, Taxes and Daniel Powell
Right-hander Daniel Powell has delivered on preseason expectations after being named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list. In a team-high 10 appearances, Powell owns a 1.57 ERA, ranking among the top 30 qualified Division I pitchers and third in Conference USA.
He has limited baserunners effectively, posting a 0.96 WHIP and a .173 batting average against, both among the best marks in the conference.
The Cain Train Rolling
Redshirt senior Harry Cain has posted a 4.67 ERA in eight appearances while holding opponents to a .209 batting average. His best outing came March 20 against Liberty, when he threw 4.2 innings with a career-high nine strikeouts. He allowed two runs, both in the 10th inning, but struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced.
Cain recorded the 100th strikeout of his career Tuesday at No. 4 Georgia, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning.
Offensive Improvement
Overall, the Owls' offense has taken a step forward in 2026, producing more consistently across the lineup than at the same point last season. Through 21 games, KSU has increased its batting average, runs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.
|
Category
|
2025
|
2026
|
|
Batting Average
|
.266
|
.275
|
|
Runs
|
113
|
106
|
|
Doubles
|
30
|
32
|
|
Home Runs
|
18
|
21
|
|
RBI
|
101
|
119
|
|
Total Bases
|
284
|
296
|
|
Slugging %
|
.396
|
.429
|
Milestone Watch
Jackson Chirello hit the 48th double of his career on March 7 versus Samford, ranking fifth in Kennesaw State's Division I history. The D-I era record is 57 doubles set by Donovan Cash from 2022 to 2025, while the all-time program mark is 69 by Clint Watters from 2001 to 2004. Chris Cole enters the weekend with 47 career stolen bases, third in KSU's Division I era and fifth all-time, needing nine steals to move into second in the D-I rankings.
Powell is rapidly approaching 100 career strikeouts, entering the weekend with 96 career punchouts.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
