Kennesaw State (14-11, 5-4 CUSA) vs. Dallas Baptist (16-13, 6-3 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field
Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, April 4 at 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball hosts preseason Conference USA favorite Dallas Baptist this weekend at Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field, looking to climb in the league standings.
Probable Starters
- Friday: RHP Liam Watt (4-1, 2.48 ERA) vs. RHP Cooper McMullen (2-2, 4.06 ERA)
- Saturday: RHP Jared Schaeffer (3-0, 4.36 ERA) vs. LHP Jayden Summerville (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
- Sunday: TBA vs. TBA
Battle Tested
Kennesaw State is one of the most battle-tested teams in the nation, having played eight games against ranked opponents. The Owls' schedule enters the weekend ranked as the 28th-toughest in the country and the 11th-ranked non-conference SoS.
At the midpoint of the season, KSU has faced three teams that D1Baseball.com projects to host a regional this season (Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia), and still has two games left against current national seed Georgia Tech. Jax State, Mercer and Missouri State were also in D1Baseball's midseason Field of 64.
Chirello's Breakout Year
Infielder Jackson Chrello has emerged as one of the most consistent bats in Conference USA, putting together a true breakout campaign in his senior season. After showing flashes of production throughout his career, Chirello has taken a major step forward in 2026, elevating his power and consistency at the plate to become a centerpiece of the KSU offense. He sits among CUSA's top hitters in a handful of statistics, including slugging percentage (third), OPS (fourth), batting average (sixth), doubles (10th) and hits (10th).
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 .320 (16-for-50) with six doubles and three home runs.
McGee also has started strong, hitting .314 (22-for-70) with six doubles and five home runs in 24 appearances. The McDonough, Ga., native leads the team with 21 RBIs.
Defensively, the duo has controlled the running game effectively, allowing 15 stolen bases in 25 attempts (.600). McGee leads with eight caught stealings, while Posey has thrown out two runners.
Finding His Friday Night Form
Cooper McMullen has found his groove, going 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA (5 ER/21.1 IP) across his last four 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 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 1.98 ERA, ranking among the top 45 qualified Division I pitchers and fifth in Conference USA.
He has limited baserunners effectively, posting a 0.99 WHIP and a .169 batting average against, both among the best marks in the conference.
The Cain Train's Rolling
Redshirt senior Harry Cain has posted a 3.74 ERA in nine appearances while holding opponents to a .185 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 in extra innings but struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced.
Late-Inning Offense
Kennesaw State's lineup has been particularly dangerous in the late innings, scoring 68 of its 155 runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. The eighth inning has been especially productive, accounting for 35 runs (22.6%), while the seventh inning ranks third with 21 runs, trailing only the eighth and first innings, which produced 27 runs.
The late-game surge has fueled five come-from-behind victories this season, including a 7-6 rally over No. 20 West Virginia after entering the seventh inning down 6-0.
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 25 games, KSU has increased its batting average, runs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.
|
Category
|
2025
|
2026
|
|
Batting Average
|
.270
|
.273
|
|
Runs
|
135
|
155
|
|
Doubles
|
42
|
50
|
|
Home Runs
|
21
|
28
|
|
RBI
|
120
|
146
|
|
Total Bases
|
343
|
369
|
|
Slugging Percentage
|
.402
|
.445
|
|
Wins
|
10
|
14
|
Cashing in Opportunities
KSU has done an excellent job capitalizing in scoring situations, driving in 45 runs in 69 chances with a runner on third and less than two outs, which is a 65.2% success rate. The Owls have also been effective with two outs, totaling 55 two-out RBIs on the season, led by Chirello with 10.
Milestone Watch
Jackson Chirello hit the 49th 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 49 career stolen bases, third in KSU's Division I era and fifth all-time.
Ticket Information
Tickets are still available for purchase at KSUOwls.com, or by contacting the KSU Ticket Office. Fans making last-minute plans to attend the contest can purchase tickets at the box office, which opens 60 minutes before first pitch. Fans can take advantage of Thursday's special "2-for-1" ticket deal, where fans receive a free ticket with the purchase of one by clicking here.
Parking
Fans attending this weekend's games should park in the East Parking Deck, adjacent to VyStar Arena, and follow posted signage to the main gate of Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field. A designated ADA Drop-Off zone is located directly in front of Gate 1, on Kennesaw State Univ. Road.
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.
