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Follow KSU Baseball \u2013\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n JACKSONVILLE,\u00a0Ala.\u00a0–\u00a0Kennesaw State baseball erased a late one-run deficit by scoring four unanswered runs in the eighth and ninth innings to down 24th-ranked Jacksonville State, 5-2, Friday night at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Owls (24-22, 12-13 CUSA) trailed entering the seventh inning, facing a tall task against a Jax State (38-11, 20-5 CUSA) squad that entered Friday with a 29-1 record when leading after six innings. Charlie Jones<\/a> drew a four-pitch leadoff walk to open the eighth inning, becoming only KSU’s third baserunner of the night, and eventually scored after Shamaar McDuffie<\/a> and Chris Cole<\/a> delivered consecutive two-out singles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Trenton Lyons<\/a> opened the ninth with a single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games and advanced to third after two productive outs before scoring on a wild pitch. Two singles and a three-base error\u00a0later,\u00a0the Black and Gold suddenly owned a three-run advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nolan Sliver<\/a> turned in an effective outing in his first\u00a0Friday-night\u00a0start of the season, allowing two runs on four hits across 5.1 innings. After the first two Gamecocks reached base, the\u00a0veteran\u00a0right-hander retired 15 of the next 17 batters he faced before running into trouble in the sixth. Peter Jezerinac<\/a> retired the only batter he faced before Ty Bayer<\/a> tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to bridge the gap to the ninth. Daniel Powell<\/a> (W, 6-2) allowed just a one-out single while striking out four across 2.0 scoreless innings to secure the series-opening victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n How it\u00a0Happened\u00a0<\/p>\n
Notes from the Diamond\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next Up\u00a0 Read Full Article
\n\tT5 | With Cooper Williams<\/a> on first and two outs, Jackson Chirello<\/a> lifted a deep fly ball to center field that was dropped by the defender, allowing Williams to score on the three-base error (1-0, Kennesaw State).\u00a0
\n\tB6 | Jax State scored two runs on two extra-base hits and a sacrifice bunt (2-1, Jax State).\u00a0
\n\tT8 | After Charlie Jones<\/a> worked a four-pitch walk to open the inning, Shamaar McDuffie<\/a> extended the frame with a two-out single before Chris Cole<\/a> poked an RBI single into left field to tie the game (2-2).\u00a0
\n\tT9 | Trenton Lyons<\/a> singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third after two productive outs before scoring on a wild pitch. Jones followed with an infield single before\u00a0Chirello\u00a0reached on another three-base error by the center fielder, allowing Jamarie Brooks<\/a> to score. Josh Gibbs<\/a> then added an RBI single to extend the lead (5-2, Kennesaw State).\u00a0
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\n\tKSU earned its fifth consecutive win, matching its longest winning streak of the season (March 22-29).\u00a0\u00a0
\n\tJacksonville State entered Friday with a 29-1 record when leading after six innings.\u00a0
\n\tThe Owls earned their eighth win this season\u00a0when\u00a0trailing after six innings.\u00a0
\n\tLyons’ hitting streak reached 11 games, going 17-for-48 (.354) with five doubles, two home runs, 14 RBIs and seven runs scored during that stretch.\u00a0
\n\tChris Cole<\/a> extended his on-base streak to 31 games, while Wesley Alig’s<\/a> 16-game streak\u00a0came to an end.\u00a0
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\nKennesaw State\u00a0looks to take the series on Saturday at 7 p.m.\u00a0
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\nThe Champions Fund\u00a0
\nThe 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\u00a0to recruit and\u00a0retain\u00a0top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in\u00a0funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching,\u00a0travel\u00a0and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition,\u00a0wellness\u00a0and\u00a0leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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