By Jack Herman, Staff Writer
The opening game of a three game set between Kennesaw State and UAB Blazers saw the Owls secure an 8-4 win at Stillwell Stadium on Friday.
Led by right hander Jordan Hillyer, KSU (7-4) was powered by two long home runs to right field by designated hitter Colin Bennett and shortstop Kal Simmons.
“It is always great for momentum to win the first game of a series,” KSU head coach Mike Sansing said. “I thought Hillyer did a great job. It is important to get up early when you start a series and we were able to do that. The first five, six innings we were playing really well.”
Hillyer was strong through six innings allowing just one hit and striking out seven. After starting the fifth by walking the leadoff hitter Tyler Mims, hitting Mitch Williams on the foot, and then walking Matt Morse, Hillyer allowed his lone run off a sacrifice fly to right. All of this was done without the benefit of a single hit.
Offensively the Owls were paced by two big home runs. With the Owls already up 2-0 in the third, Colin Bennett scorched a 1-2 offering deep over the right field fence. Following suit just an inning later, Simmons added his fourth home run of the season as he yanked a home run over the right field wall as well.
After the fireworks had concluded, KSU completed their scoring by adding single runs in the fifth and sixth. In the fifth second baseman Grant Williams plated Alex Liquori with an RBI single. An inning later, some aggressive base running forced an errant throw into left field scoring catcher Brennan Morgan who had taken off for third after the pitch had skipped away from catcher Mitch Williams.
UAB (8-3) starter Alex Luna came into the game undefeated at two wins and no losses. After struggling through four innings where Luna allowed nine hits, six earned runs, and two home runs, he gave way to lefty Adam Lamar. Lamar went three innings allowing three hits, one earned run, and four strike outs.
It was not until the eighth inning that the Blazers would make some noise. In his second inning of relief, Logan Hutchinson went on to allow three runs on three hits, closing the size on a once comfortable lead. Playing the role of firemen was Nathan Harsh, who allowed one base hit before ending the inning and the game the next inning.
“Nathan came in and threw strikes and that’s important when you come out of the bullpen,” Sansing said. “He did a good job of ending the game for us and shutting it down.”
Game two of the three game tilt will be this Saturday, March 7 where left handed starter Travis Bergen of the Owls will face the Blazers’ James Naile who has an unblemished record at three and zero along with a dazzling ERA of .43.
