By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Will Howard drove in five runs, keying a Kennesaw State rally as the Owls defeated Jacksonville, 10-8, in Atlantic Sun Conference baseball action Thursday night at Stillwell Stadium.
Trailing, 5-0, entering the sixth inning, the Owls came off the deck to tie the score. With the bases loaded, Sean McClurken singled back up the middle, scoring Ronnie Freeman and Andy Chriscaden to pull KSU within three. Two batters later, Howard stepped into the batter's box with a chance to tie the game.
"My dad came to the game tonight and before the at bat, he told me not to get beaten by the fastball," said Howard. "The first pitch was a fastball and I was able to turn on it." Howard's towering blast clipped the tree that sits beyond the right field wall, knotting the score.
"I think Will's home run really woke everybody up," said KSU head coach Mike Sansing. "We had a slow start offensively, but I think it said a lot about this team that they were able to come back after being down five runs."
The score stayed the same until the sixth inning until Ronnie Freeman connected on a deep drive down the left field line with one out that easily cleared the wall. The solo blast put KSU ahead to stay, but more runs would be needed. KSU would load the bases with two men out and would receive a gift as a passed ball would allow Chriscaden to score to put KSU ahead, 7-5. With Howard still at bat and runners on second and third, the junior from Columbus would come up big again, lining a shot into right center to score two runs and push KSU ahead, 9-5.
"I just kept battling that at bat. [The pitcher] did a good job mixing up his pitches, but I was able to make good contact," said Howard.
Jacksonville (32-19, 18-10) would score three runs in the eighth inning, two off of a double by Daniel Gulbransen, to pull within one, 9-8. The Owls (31-22, 17-10) would put an insurance run on the board, getting a sacrifice fly from Freeman to score Anderson with the 10th and final run of the ball game for the Black and Gold.
Neither starter factored in the decision as both Josh Carr and Steve Eagerton gave up five runs. Catlan Kendrick (3-0) would pick up the win with 1.1 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs on three hits. J.B. Johnson would earn his eighth save of the season, allowing just one hit in 1.1 innings of action. Adam Maxon (2-5) took the loss for JU, giving up three runs in two-thirds of an inning.
The two teams will resume their A-Sun series Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a Scrappy the Owl Bobblehead sponsored by AT&T Yellow Pages.
