By Jack Herman, Staff Writer
After dropping game one of a three game series against the University of Connecticut on Friday, Kennesaw State followed up that loss on Saturday at Stillwell Stadium with another defeat at the hands of the Huskies by a score of 7-0.
“I thought their guys threw the ball really well,” KSU head coach Mike Sansing said. “Offensively we really never had the opportunity to do anything. The UConn staff did a great job of limiting the chances we had.”
KSU (5-4) sent junior left hander Travis Bergen to the mound where he threw well, but was unable to get any run support. In total, the lefty went seven innings allowing five hits, four earned runs and fanning ten Huskie hitters. Bergen’s solid effort was blemished by two long home runs that came in the fourth and seventh inning.
“I haven’t seen the totals yet, but I knew he was up there in strike outs,” Sansing said. “I thought he threw the ball well, just those two home runs proved to be costly. But I was really happy with how the game went for him.”
The first UConn (4-4) home run came in the fourth inning after Bergen allowed a hit to Vinny Siena and then promptly walked Bobby Melley on five pitches. After Melley’s walk, catcher Blake Davey launched the first pitch he saw deep over the left field fence which would give UConn a lead that they would never relinquish. Bergen shut down the Huskies until the seventh where Max McDowell lead off the inning by sending a home run over the left field wall.
Opposing KSU’s Bergen was left handed pitcher Anthony Kay. Kay had a day he would not soon forget. The sophomore south paw went eight innings, allowing only two hits and striking out eight Owls. Throughout the day, Kay pitched with little trouble on the base paths and was given the opportunity to get the complete game, but walked the leadoff hitter and was pulled and Trevor Holmes took over.
Holmes retired the only two batters he faced, including a double play off the bat of shortstop Kal Simmons. After Simmons was retired on a double play, centerfielder Justin Motley was the final out capping the win for UConn.
The only two base hits for the Owls came from right fielder Chris Erwin and first basemen Chris McGowan. Coincidentally, both hitters to reach base via hits were left handed batters who singled right back up the middle.
After Bergen completed his seven solid frames, freshman AJ Moore came in out of relief. Moore allowed one hit, one earned run, two runs total and two strike outs. Following Moore’s one inning of relief was left hander Will Lowman. Lowman allowed one unearned run on two walks and two strike outs in the final frame.
The Owls will look to salvage at least one game of a three game series against UConn this Sunday, Feb. 28. Sophomore Gabe Friese will be called upon to stop KSU’s skid as he will be matched up against red-shirt senior Jordan Tabkman.
