Photo Courtesy of KSU Athletics
MARIETTA, Ga.- The Owls made history in a series win over Western Kentucky by taking an 8-2 victory in Sunday’s rubber match at S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field.
Kennesaw State started the series by nabbing a 9-8 win Friday in the Owls’ first Conference USA game. However, in a slow-burn game Saturday, WKU went home with a 4-1 victory. The Owls and Hilltoppers each came ready to win in Sunday’s tense rubber match.
KSU started the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Donovan Cash, scoring Chris Cole. The Hilltoppers quickly tied the score in the second when WKU infielder Drew Barragan laced the ball over the left-field fence.
In the bottom frame, KSU catcher Evan Holstein crushed the ball deep into left field, scoring Cam Sutoon an RBI double. Cole then poked the ball into right field, bringing Holstein home and lifting the score 3-1.
WKU scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, bringing their deficit to only one run at 3-2.
The Owls had their best inning of the game, tripling WKU’s score in the bottom half of the third. Cash drilled the ball into right center, followed by a Jackson Chirello walk. Freshman Wesley Alig smashed the ball past the third baseman, achieving an RBI double. Suto sent a rocket to center field, scoring Alig and bringing the Owls’ lead to 6-2.
Holding the Hilltoppers through the top of the fourth, the Owls gained a 7-2 advantage when Cash sent the ball flying over the fence.
The fifth through seventh innings were quiet, both teams holding each other scoreless.
KSU tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth when Alig roped the ball to shortstop, scoring Cole on a single.
KSU pitcher Nate Helmanstepped onto the mound for the first time during the game and struck out two batters in the last inning. The Owls shut down WKU’s hope to make a comeback with a caught fly ball, giving KSU the 8-2 victory.
Feelings were high after the game as the Owls took their place in KSU baseball history. Due to head coach Ryan Coe’s absence, KSU pitching coach Matt Passauer took lead of the team Sunday. He was impressed by the team’s performance and its improvement throughout the season.
“It’s a testament to the hard work the guys have put in to get to this point,” Passauer said. “The guys have matured through the non-conference.”
Smith Pinsonthrew nearly four innings to start the game. The mound was then turned over to Bo Rhudy, who gave the Hilltoppers no runs in four innings. In the top of the ninth, Helman stepped in and struck out two players to end the game on a high note.
“Nate Helman has continued to grow in his role and has been throwing a ton of strikes,” Passauer said. “There was a lot of trust in each of those guys.”
There is no doubt that the baseball season had a rough start, but the Owls have steadily improved and found their footing throughout the season. Passauer acknowledged the team’s difficult start, but noted how much they’ve changed. He said the defense has significantly improved recently and the offense is beginning to find a plan of attack and sticking with it, which has changed the team’s approach for the better.
“The rocky start can somewhat be a testament to the teams we play,” Passauer said. “The guys have done a really good job at maintaining the work throughout the course of the season.”
The Owls will take on Georgia Tech at S. Walter Kelly Memorial Field Tuesday in their next game.
