THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (8-10), #12 Oklahoma (20-3)
Score: Kennesaw State 9, #12 Oklahoma 17
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Austin Hansen vs. RHP AJ Moore
Key Players: Chris Erwin (1-for-4, 2 RBI); Griffin Helms (3-for-4, 2 RBI); Grant Williams (2-for-4)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Highlights

THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead Saturday afternoon, but could not hang on as No. 12 Oklahoma defeated the Owls 17-9 at Stillwell Stadium to secure the weekend series.
· Chris Erwin and Griffin Helms combined to drive in four runs, but the Sooners outscored KSU 17-3 over the final six frames.
· With the loss, Kennesaw State dropped to 8-10 overall and Oklahoma improved to 20-3.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· A two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning jumpstarted a six-run outburst over the first two frames for Kennesaw State, as Erwin tallied his first HR of the season following a double off Helms' bat that scored a run to take a quick 3-0 edge.
· Patience at the plate paid off in a big way for KSU in the second inning, as Oklahoma issued five walks, two wild pitches and a hit by pitch, tallying three runs on no hits with nine Owls coming to the plate to take a 6-0 lead.
· RHP AJ Moore, a Dacula, Ga., native, was solid throughout his fifth start of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.0 frames. The righty struck out two and held Oklahoma scoreless over the first two innings to allow the Owls' offensive to build a 6-0 lead.
· The Sooners scored in four straight innings, including a six-run sixth, and followed with five more in the eighth and three in the ninth to secure the win.
· Offensively for the Owls, Helms (3-for-4, two RBI), Erwin (1-for-4, two RBI) and Grant Williams (2-for-4) combined for six of KSU's hits and four of the six RBI.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Griffin Helms tallied a triple in the ninth inning, marking his second career triple and first since 2015.
· Helms totaled three hits on the afternoon, which tallied his seventh game with two or more hits in a ballgame.
· Taylor Allum extended his hitting streak to five games with a double, and has reached base safely in 13 straight games.
· Grant Williams continued his hot bat, tallying his third straight multi-hit game. During the stretch he is 6-for-14(.428) and is currently on a four-game hitting streak.
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State returns to Stillwell Stadium Sunday afternoon, taking on No. 12 Oklahoma in the series finale. The contest is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m., and will air on ESPN3 with Nathan McCreary and Scott Whitlock on the call.