Julien Benjamin, Staff Writer
After losing the finale 11-4 on Sunday, Kennesaw State lost their first road series of the season to the Winthrop Eagles, two games to one.
Due to inclement weather on Friday evening, the series began with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls (9-8) won 4-0 in the second game of the doubleheader propelled by Travis Bergen’s complete game, four hit shutout. Bergen’s outing included 11 strikeouts and reduced his season ERA to 1.87.
“I thought Bergen’s performance was very impressive,” KSU head coach Mike Sansing said. “He located his pitches well. He looked excellent, especially late in the game. I thought both of our starters gave us a great chance today.”
KSU used 11 hits to score four runs, with Erwin’s three run blast to right in the fifth leading the way. Jeremy Howell also added an RBI double in the second. Erwin went 3-13 over the weekend, and his .352 average for the season continues to lead the team.
Justin Motley had a big series as well, going 6-9, which raised his batting average to .290. “He (Motley) has been putting in some extra work,” Sansing said. “It’s paid off.” KSU entered Sunday with the series tied at one game apiece.
The Owls had an early lead in the Sunday rubber match, but a five run third inning for the Eagles sealed their victory.
Kal Simmons hit his team leading fifth homerun in the first inning to give KSU a 1-0 lead. In the second, freshman catcher Drew Davis collected his first collegiate RBI with a single to the pitcher that plated two runs. Brennan Morgan added a solo shot left in the third, giving the Owls a 4-0 lead.
Starter Gabe Friese only recorded one out in the third inning before he was removed for Mason Ward. The first four batters of the inning reached base for the Eagles, and KSU’s lead was cut to 4-1 after a walk to Tyler Asbill. After a wild pitch, and two Winthrop hits, the score was 5-4 in favor of the Eagles. Ward was brought in to pitch and he retired the two men he faced, leaving Friese with four earned runs in 2 and 1/3 innings of work.
Winthrop scored in the next four innings, with Ward and Nathan Harsh taking the majority of the damage. KSU was held hitless for the remainder of the game.
In the opening game of the weekend series Jordan Hillyer started for the Owls and recorded a complete game. KSU did not supply the junior right-hander with any run support, despite allowing just two runs in eight innings with nine strikeouts. Hillyer received his second loss of the season as the KSU fell 2-0.
“I thought Hillyer threw the ball extremely well,” KSU head coach Mike Sansing told KSUOwls.com. “He controlled his pitches and was in command.”
Winthrop’s starter Sam Kmiec went toe to toe with Hillyer, recording a complete game, four hit shutout of KSU.
Brennan Morgan reached base in the ninth inning, which brought up Colin Bennett to bat as the tying run and the final hope for KSU. He struck out swinging, and the Owls went down 1-0 in the series.
KSU will face three different opponents in the upcoming week, beginning with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Tuesday. The Jackets are currently third best in Division I in runs scored, and tied for 11th in home runs hit. The Owls will then travel to North Carolina to face the Western Carolina Catamounts Wednesday, before returning to Stillwell for a three game series versus the Tribe of William & Mary College over the weekend.
