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NEWARK, Del. - Kennesaw State baseball jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first before adding three insurance runs in the eighth inning to outlast Delaware, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. The win was KSU's fourth straight and clinched its first Conference USA series victory of the season.
The Owls (13-10, 4-4 CUSA) scored two first-inning runs and never relinquished the lead for the second time in as many days, with both runs scoring on a two-run double by Aaron Posey. The Black and Gold recorded at least 10 hits for the fourth game in a row, led by Chris Cole's 3-for-4 day with a pair of infield singles. James McGee and Grayson McCollum added two hits each in the winning effort, with McCollum driving in a run in the eighth.
Jayden Summerville made his second career start, allowing one run in 3.0 innings of work before handing the ball to Nate Helman. Helman (W, 1-0) hurled 1.2 scoreless innings with three walks and three strikeouts, while Harry Cain (Sv, 3) threw the game's final 4.1 innings, striking out four and allowing only two of the 15 Blue Hens he faced to reach base.
How it Happened
- T1 | With two outs, James McGee laced a double into the left field corner and Jackson Chirello walked before Aaron Posey snuck a double just inside the third base bag, plating both McGee and Chirello (2-0, Kennesaw State)
- B2 | The Fightin' Blue Hens got on the scoreboard on a sacrifice fly (2-1).
- T8 | Chirello reached on a two-base error by the right fielder before Posey walked with one out. Chris Cole lifted a single to left, plating Chirello before an error moved Posey and Cole up an extra 90 feet. Posey trotted home on a wild pitch before Grayson McCollum dropped an RBI single to left to score Cole (5-1).
Notes from the Diamond
- Kennesaw State claimed its first CUSA series of the season with the victory.
- The Owls' four-game winning streak is their longest such streak of the season.
- During that streak, the Black and Gold offense has recorded at least 10 hits in each game.
- The KSU bullpen has not surrendered a run in 9.0 innings pitched this weekend.
- Though Delaware had runners on base for much of the game, the Owls forced the Blue Hens to go 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
- Posey extended his hitting streak to a team-high 10 games, going 15-for-34 (.441) with six doubles, two homers, nine RBIs and nine runs scored during that stretch.
- McGee's hitting streak reached seven games with his two-hit effort on Saturday. The McDonough, Ga., native is 9-for-26 (.346) with five doubles, 10 RBIs and six runs scored over that span.
Next Up
Kennesaw State returns to Bob Hannah Stadium on Sunday, looking to sweep the Blue Hens. Sunday's series finale is set for a Noon start, with the game airing live on ESPN+.
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.
