Follow KSU Baseball – X | Instagram 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Kennesaw State baseball brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning but failed to extend the game, falling to Western Kentucky, 8-6, at Nick Denes Field on Saturday evening.

The Owls (18-21, 7-13 CUSA) fell into an early hole after allowing the Hilltoppers to score in each of the first three innings but clawed back to tie the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning before WKU pulled away with late runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth frames. Jackson Chirello provided the lone multi-hit performance for KSU, going 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored, while six other Owls recorded a base hit. Charlie Jones led the way with two RBIs with Chris Cole, James McGee and Chirello driving in one run each. 

How it Happened 

• B1 | Western Kentucky scored a run on three hits to open the scoring (1-0, Western Kentucky). 
• B2 | The Hilltoppers again used three hits to score a run (2-0). 
• T3 | KSU used three consecutive singles to plate its first run, with Jackson Chirello scoring on Chris Cole's RBI single to left (2-1). 
• B3 | The hosts extended their lead by scoring two runs on three hits, but left the bases loaded (4-1). 
• T4 | James McGee singled before Josh Gibbs and Wesley Alig reached on consecutive errors. Then, with the bases loaded and no outs, Charlie Jones pulled a two-run single through the left side of the infield (4-3). 
• T5 | Trenton Lyons hit a leadoff triple and scored on McGee's sacrifice fly (4-4). 
• B6 | The first two Hilltoppers reached base and scored after a sacrifice fly and an RBI single (6-4, Western Kentucky). 
• B7 | WKU extended its lead when a run scored on a passed ball (7-4). 
• T8 | Jackson Chirello belted a solo homer to right firled (7-5).
• B8 | Consecutive two-out singles allowed the Hilltoppers to plate another run (8-5).
• T9 | Lyons walked and advanced to third after a single and a productive out, scoring on a wild pitch (8-6).

Notes from the Diamond  

• Chirello lifted his eighth homer of the season and his first since April 3.
• Cole extended his on-base streak to a team-high 24 games. 

Next Up 
Kennesaw State looks to salvage the series on Sunday at 2 p.m.  
 
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.