Kennesaw State (15-14, 6-6 CUSA) at FIU (10-23, 2-10 CUSA)
Location: Miami, Fla. | FIU Baseball Stadium
Friday, April 10 at 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, April 11 at 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
Follow KSU Baseball – X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball hits the road for a three-game Conference USA series at FIU, starting Friday evening in Miami.
Probable Starters
- Friday: RHP Cooper McMullen (2-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. LHP Preston Prince (0-3, 6.50 ERA)
- Saturday: RHP Nolan Sliver (0-0, 4.75 ERA) vs. RHP Enrique Sierra (2-4, 6.41 ERA)
- Sunday: TBA vs. RHP Julian Mlodzinski (2-5, 6.42 ERA)
Series History
Friday marks the sixth all-time meeting between Kennesaw State and FIU, with KSU owning a 4-1 lead in the series. The Owls swept the Panthers in Marietta last season before the two squads split their contests in the 2025 Conference USA Baseball Championship. This is the first series between the programs in Miami.
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 40th-toughest in the country and the 18th-ranked non-conference strength of schedule.
At the midpoint of the season, KSU has faced four teams that D1Baseball.com projects to host a regional this season (Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and West Virginia), and still has one game 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 Chirello 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), doubles (seventh), OPS (ninth) and hits (12th).
The senior has already surpassed his career high of five homers, lifting seven dingers so far this season, and is on pace to post career highs in numerous other categories.
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 .278 (17-for-61) with seven doubles and three home runs.
McGee also has started strong, hitting .293 (24-for-82) with seven doubles and five home runs in 28 appearances. The McDonough, Ga., native is second on the team with 23 RBIs and is tied with Cooper Williams for the team lead with a .438 on-base percentage.
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.
McMullen Making Strides
After a rough close to February, McMullen found his rhythm in March, going 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA (4 ER/21.1 IP), working at least 5.0 innings and allowing three or fewer runs in each of his four starts that month. In CUSA action, the Georgia Tech transfer is 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA (6 ER/20.1 IP), inducing 33 ground outs and five double plays.
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 95 times in 249 innings (.382), led by Trenton Lyons' 17 successful leadoff plate appearances.
Late-Inning Offense
Kennesaw State's lineup has been particularly dangerous in the late innings, scoring 73 of its 174 runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. The eighth inning has been especially productive, accounting for 35 runs (20.1%), 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 29 games, KSU has increased its batting average, runs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.
|
Category
|
2025
|
2026
|
|
Batting Average
|
.264
|
.270
|
|
Runs
|
152
|
174
|
|
Doubles
|
50
|
59
|
|
Home Runs
|
23
|
29
|
|
RBI
|
136
|
164
|
|
Total Bases
|
388
|
415
|
|
Slugging Percentage
|
.395
|
.429
|
|
Wins
|
12
|
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. The Owls have also been effective with two outs, totaling 63 two-out RBIs on the season, led by Jackson Chirello with 11.
Turnin' Two
The Black and Gold have turned 33 double plays on the season, ranking 33rd in the nation and third in CUSA. KSU's 0.93 twin-killings per game leads the conference and ranks 18th in the country.
Milestone Watch
Jackson Chirello hit the 50th double of his career on Tuesday at Georgia Tech, 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.
