By: By Jake Dorow
THE BASICS
Score: #TEAMBLACK 5, #TEAMGOLD 1
Series: Black Wins 2-0
Starting Pitching Matchup: Jake Rothwell vs. Taylor Wilkes
Key Players: Griffin Helms (3-for-4),
Matt Mixon (1-for-3, 3 RBI),
Ryan Wesley (2-for-3),
Garrett Hodges (1-for-4, RBI, HR),
Taylor Wilkes (3.1 IP, two hits, 1 ER), Black bullpen
Photo Gallery
THE STORYLINE:
· Sophomore RHP
Taylor Wilkes's strong pitching performance and timely hitting helped Team Black defeat Team Gold, 5-1, Wednesday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium.
. Senior
Matt Mixon hit's two-run home run in the top of the second and an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth to record a game-high three runs batted in, helping Team Black secure the World Series crown.
· Black used four pitchers on the roster, combining for a three-hitter in seven innings of work. Wilkes (win),
Jared Staples,
Will Bice and
Max Ryan all combined for nine strikeouts and just one earned run to keep Gold off the scoreboard after the first inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
· Sophomore
Garrett Hodges' solo home run broke a scoreless game in the bottom of the first inning, giving Gold a quick 1-0 lead.
· A four-run top of the second gave Black a three-run advantage and a lead it never surrendered.
· The inning was highlighted when Mixon hit a two-run homer over the left field wall, followed by an RBI double off the bat of
Grant Williams and an unearned run to give Black a 4-1 lead.
· Mixon's sacrifice fly in the fifth gave the senior his third RBI of the game, finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate.
· Teammate
Griffin Helms finished 3-for-4 at the plate for Black, while
Ryan Wesley finished 2-for-3 at the dish for Gold. Hodges recorded the lone RBI for Gold on the day.
· The 5-1 advantage would be more than enough for Black, who's pitching shutdown the potent Gold lineup.
· Wilkes (1-0) earned the victory after tossing 3.1 innings and allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out six batters.
· Staples, Bice and Ryan all came out of the bullpen, combining to throw 3.2 frames and allowed just one hit in relief work.
UP NEXT
The Black and Gold World Series concludes Friday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium. Game 3 will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and is open to the public. Follow @KSUOwlsBaseball for updates on pitching matchups throughout the week.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news follow the team on Twitter@KSUOwlNation and@KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
- #GoKSUOwls -
