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MACON, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball's five-game winning streak was snapped Tuesday in a 14-4 loss to Mercer at OrthoGeorgia Park at Claude Smith Field. The game ended after seven innings due to the 10-run rule.
The Owls (14-11) tallied five hits in the loss, led by Jackson Chirello's 3-for-4 outing. Chirello was one of three KSU players to drive in a run, joined by James McGee and Cooper Williams, who both recorded a single RBI. Chris Cole and Josh Gibbs both added a hit, while the Owls worked six walks and were hit by a pitch.
JT Gibson turned in the Owls' only scoreless outing, working 1.1 innings with a walk and a strikeout. Gibson has not surrendered a run in 5.0 innings of work on the season.
How it Happened
- B1 | A leadoff single and subsequent walk came around to score on a hard-hit double to the left field wall (2-0, Mercer).
- T2 | Jackson Chirello doubled on the first pitch of the inning, taking third on a wild pitch and scoring on another wild pitch (2-1).
- T3 | After a single, a walk and a hit by pitch opened the inning, Cooper Williams walked with the bases loaded, plating Josh Gibbs. James McGee then hit into a fielder's choice to score Avery Wilson before Jackson Chirello punched a single up the middle, driving in Trenton Lyons. (4-2, Kennesaw State).
- B3 | With two outs, the Bears hit a two-run home run (4-4).
- B4 | Mercer scored nine runs on five hits, including three home runs (13-4, Mercer).
- B6 | The Bears added another run on an RBI single to stretch the lead to 10 (14-4).
Notes from the Diamond
- Kennesaw State's season-best five-game winning streak was snapped.
- Tuesday marked Chirello's 12th multi-hit effort of the season.
- Chris Cole's hitting streak reached five games on Tuesday, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored over that stretch.
- McGee's hitting streak came to an end after eight games, but he extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
Next Up
Kennesaw State returns home for a key Conference USA series against Dallas Baptist, starting on Thursday, April 2. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., with ESPN+ airing the action.
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.
