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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State baseball stranded the tying run on base in the eighth inning, falling to Missouri State, 5-3, Thursday night at Mickey Dunn Stadium at Henssler Financial Field.
The Owls (24-25, 12-16 CUSA) were consistently present on the bases, tallying 12 hits and three walks while putting multiple runners aboard in five different innings. Chris Cole and Shamaar McDuffie led the offense with three-hit nights while Jackson Chirello added two hits of his own as KSU outhit the Bears, 12-8. Trenton Lyons accounted for two of the Owls' three runs, blasting a solo homer in the third inning before driving in another run with a groundout in the seventh.
Missouri State scored a pair of runs in the opening inning before adding two more on a third-inning homer to build an early lead. Lyons answered in the bottom half with a solo blast to right-center field, his third homer in the last six games, but the Bears added another run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to stretch the advantage back to three.
Nolan Sliver (L, 0-1) allowed four runs in 3.0 innings in his final start of the regular season before Harry Cain dealt four strikeouts in 4.0 innings of one-run relief. Ryan Gold kept the Bears off the scoreboard in his 2.0 innings of action, striking out two and allowing just one hit to give the Owls a chance late.
How it Happened
- T1 | The Bears scored two runs on two hits and three free passes before leaving the bases loaded (2-0, Missouri State).
- B2 | After Wesley Alig and Jackson Chirello singled, Shamaar McDuffie flared an RBI single into center field to drive Alig in (2-1).
- T3 | A two-run homer extended the visitors' lead (4-1).
- B3 | Trenton Lyons clubbed a solo homer to right-center field (4-2).
- T4 | An RBI sacrifice fly pushed Mo State's lead back to three (5-2).
- B7 | Chris Cole and Cooper Williams singled to open the inning before Cole scored when Lyons grounded into a double play (5-3).
Notes from the Diamond
- Cole swiped the 63rd base of his career, now needing just one steal to move into a tie for second-most in program history.
- Gold hurled 2.0 scoreless innings, turning in his second straight scoreless outing.
- McDuffie recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season, the second-most of any player on the team.
- Cole extended his on-base streak to 34 consecutive games while Charlie Jones has reached in seven straight outings.
Next Up
Kennesaw State looks to even the series on Friday at 6 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.
