Kennesaw State (15-13, 6-6 CUSA) vs. No. 3 Georgia Tech (26-5, 12-3 ACC)
Location: Atlanta, Ga. | Mac Neese Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball is set for its ninth matchup with a nationally ranked opponent when it makes the short drive down I-75 to face No. 3 Georgia Tech on Tuesday night. The matchup is the first of two midweek games between the two programs this season.
Probable Starters
Series History
Tuesday marks the 37th all-time meeting between Kennesaw State and Georgia Tech, with GT owning a 27-9 lead in the series. KSU is in search of its first win over the Yellow Jackets since May 10, 2023 (6-5) and the first win on the Flats since April 30, 2021 (5-1).
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 41st-toughest in the country and the 18th-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 (fourth), OPS (eighth), doubles (12th) and hits (14th).
Reliable Backstops
KSU's everyday catching duo of James McGee and Aaron Posey has quietly produced strong starts to the 2026 season. Posey enters Tuesday hitting .288 (17-for-59) with seven doubles and three home runs.
McGee also has started strong, hitting .304 (24-for-79) with seven doubles and five home runs in 24 appearances. The McDonough, Ga., native leads the team with 23 RBIs.
Defensively, the duo has controlled the running game effectively, allowing 17 stolen bases in 27 attempts (.623). McGee leads with eight caught stealings, while Posey has thrown out two runners.
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 14 appearances, Powell owns a 1.97 ERA, ranking among the top 35 qualified Division I pitchers and third in Conference USA.
He has limited baserunners effectively, posting a 1.03 WHIP and a .176 batting average against, both among the best marks in the conference.
Setting the Table
The Owls have seen their leadoff hitter reach base 93 times in 240 innings (.388), led by Trenton Lyons' 16 successful leadoff plate appearances.
Late-Inning Offense
Kennesaw State's lineup has been particularly dangerous in the late innings, scoring 73 of its 170 runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. The eighth inning has been especially productive, accounting for 35 runs (20.6%), while the seventh inning ranks third with 26 runs, trailing only the eighth and first innings, which produced 27 runs.
The late-game surge has fueled six come-from-behind victories this season, including a 5-4 win over DBU on Saturday, when the Owls trailed 4-0 after six innings.
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 28 games, KSU has increased its batting average, runs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.
|
Category
|
2025
|
2026
|
|
Batting Average
|
.264
|
.272
|
|
Runs
|
146
|
170
|
|
Doubles
|
46
|
58
|
|
Home Runs
|
22
|
29
|
|
RBI
|
131
|
160
|
|
Total Bases
|
371
|
407
|
|
Slugging Percentage
|
.390
|
.436
|
|
Wins
|
11
|
15
|
Cashing in Opportunities
KSU has done an excellent job capitalizing in scoring situations, driving in 48 runs in 73 chances with a runner on third and less than two outs, which is a 65.8% success rate. Wesley Alig has produced seven RBIs in 10 such opportunities, while McCollum has driven in six in seven chances. The Owls have also been effective with two outs, totaling 55 two-out RBIs on the season, led by Jackson Chirello with 10.
Milestone Watch
Jackson Chirello hit the 49th double of his career on March 31 at Mercer, ranking fourth 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 Tuesday with 51 career stolen bases, third in KSU's Division I era and fifth all-time.
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.
