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Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State baseball team  defeated Liberty University on Friday afternoon, 11-9, in front of 635 fans at Stillwell Stadium. The Black and Gold used a combined two home runs and seven RBI by preseason All-American Kal Simmons, senior designated hitter Colin Bennett, and junior catcher Brennan Morgan to propel the 19th-ranked Owls over the 25th-ranked Flames in the first-ever top 25 meeting on their home grass in program history.

The Owls (1-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, leading Liberty (0-1) for the entire game. The Black and Gold jumped out to an 8-0 lead through the first three innings, helping them secure the 2015 season opener.

Kennesaw State, which averaged six runs per game and 10.6 hits per game in 2014, continued its trend Friday. As a team, the Owls posted 11 runs on 10 hits against Liberty, scoring in six of the eight innings Owls' batters stepped in the box.

"They came out right away and had some good at bats, barreled some balls up, and scored eight runs in the first three innings," head coach Mike Sansing" said. "It was encouraging to see that kind of offense come out that early in the season." 

The Black and Gold jumped on Liberty's starting pitcher Parker Bean (0-1) early and often, posting three runs in the opening frame. Justin Motley, who finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, led the bottom half of the inning off with a double to left field. The Owls wasted no time as Morgan tripled to right field after Chris Erwin reached on an error, clearing the bases for the game's first three runs.

Kennesaw State continued to be aggressive in the bottom half of the second inning, scoring a four runs to extend its lead to 7-0. Simmons, who finished the day 1-for-4 with three RBI, turned on an inside fastball and drove it over the right field wall for a three-run homer for his first home run of the season.

Meanwhile, Jordan Hillyer – who was named opening day starter by coach Sansing—pitched three scoreless frames to help the Owls extend their lead by as many as eight. Hillyer allowed one hit over the first three frames, helping Kennesaw State build a lead it would never give back.

Bennett followed Simmons' lead and drove a pitch over the right field wall for a solo home run, marking the second consecutive inning KSU went deep. The homer marked Bennett's first of the season, and finished the game 2-for-2 with three runs scored and one RBI.

However, the matchup between the two ranked teams did not disappoint, as the Flames fought back the entire game. Liberty pulled within three runs after crossing home plate five times in the top of the fourth, and then pulled within one (10-9) with a four-run eighth inning.

But, Kennesaw State's bullpen proved too much as Kendall Hawkins (1-0), Cole McArthur and Nathan Harsh (save) combined for 4.2 innings and no runs on two hits to shut the door on the Flames in the winning effort.

The Owls will now turn their attention to the visiting Red Storm of St. John's University Saturday afternoon. Kennesaw State, which will be unveiling the 2014 Regional Championship banner tomorrow, will take on St. John's in a doubleheader beginning at noon (ET).

Season tickets are currently on sale for the full 29-game home schedule at $39 per ticket. Single-game tickets are also available at $6 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 3-12). Group tickets for 10 or more people are available for advanced purchase, excluding the Georgia (Feb. 17), Georgia Tech (Mar. 17) and Georgia Southern (Mar. 24) games when individual tickets will be $10 for adults and $6 for youth. To order season tickets click here, or contact the KSU Athletic Ticket Office at 470-578-OWLS (6957).