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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Kennesaw State baseball put the tying run on base in the ninth inning but could not complete the comeback, falling to No. 24 Jacksonville State, 5-4, Saturday night at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
Harry Cain made his fourth consecutive weekend start for the Owls (24-23, 12-14 CUSA) and struck out the side in the opening inning before allowing two runs in the second and another in the third. The veteran right-hander settled in from there, completing 5.0 innings with six hits, one walk and six strikeouts while surrendering four runs against the Gamecocks (39-11, 21-5 CUSA). Cooper McMullen (L, 2-4) allowed one run in 1.2 innings of relief before Peter Jezerinac struck out all four batters he faced in the late innings, setting a new career high for strikeouts in a game.
After trailing 3-0 through four innings, the Owls answered with four runs in the fifth to briefly take the lead. Charlie Jones sparked the rally with a leadoff opposite-field homer before Jackson Chirello reached on an error. Josh Gibbs later reached on a fielder's choice before Shamaar McDuffie singled, and three wild pitches allowed Gibbs and McDuffie to score. Trenton Lyons capped the inning with a two-out infield single that plated Chris Cole.
KSU totaled five hits and three walks on the evening. Jones, Lyons, McDuffie, Wesley Alig and Cooper Williams each recorded one hit while Cole walked twice to reach 107 career walks, moving into sole possession of the fourth-most in KSU's Division I history.
How it Happened
- B2 | A two-run homer to right field opened the scoring (2-0, Jax State).
- B3 | With runners on the corners and one out, a sacrifice fly to left field plated another run for the hosts (3-0, Jax State).
- T5 | Jones blasted a leadoff homer before Chirello reached on an error. After a fielder's choice erased Chirello, McDuffie singled before the Gamecocks uncorked three wild pitches that allowed Gibbs and McDuffie to score. With two outs, Lyons legged out an infield single to bring Cole home (4-3, Kennesaw State).
- B6 | A single, double and RBI groundout evened the score (4-4).
- B7 | After a leadoff walk, a double into the right-field corner allowed the Gamecocks to retake the lead (5-4, Jax State).
Notes from the Diamond
- Kennesaw State can clinch a berth in the 2026 CUSA Baseball Championship with a win or a New Mexico State loss on Sunday.
- Jezerinac struck out all four batters he faced, setting a new career high.
- Cole drew two walks to reach 107 career free passes, the fourth-most in KSU's Division I history and eighth-most all-time.
- Lyons extended his hitting streak to 12 games, batting 18-for-51 (.353) with five doubles, two home runs, 15 RBIs and seven runs scored during the stretch.
- McDuffie pushed his hitting streak to six games, going 9-for-21 (.429) with a double, seven runs scored and six RBIs during that span.
- Cole extended his on-base streak to 32 consecutive games while Lyons reached base for the 12th straight contest.
- McDuffie and Williams both reached base for the 11th consecutive game.
Next Up
Kennesaw State looks to claim the series on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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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.
