THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (19-23, 8-5), Lipscomb (20-19, 6-7)
Score: Kennesaw State 4, Lipscomb 1
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Jeffrey Passantino vs. RHP Tony Dibrell
Key Players:  Chris Erwin (2-for-4, RBI), Garrett Hodges (1-for-2, RBI, HR), Corey Greeson (2-for-4, 2RBI, HR), Tony Dibrell (8.0 IP, 0 runs)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· A pair of home runs and the right arm of Tony Dibrell propelled Kennesaw State past Lipscomb Friday night in the ASUN series opener at Dugan Field, 4-1.
· Dibrell (5-3) spent another day at the office dealing 8.0 scoreless frames and the offense provided two home runs as part of four runs on seven hits to take the opener.
· With the victory, Kennesaw State improved to 19-23 overall and 8-5 in ASUN action, while Lipscomb dropped to 20-19 overall and 6-7 in league play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· Chris Erwin's two-out RBI single in the first inning and Garrett Hodges' two-out solo home run in the third inning gave the Owls a quick 2-0 lead after three complete.
· The two-run lead remained intact until the Black and Gold added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth when senior left fielder Corey Greeson hit a two-run homer to hand the Owls their largest lead of the game at 4-0.
· Four runs on seven hits were plenty because of Dibrell's masterful effort, who allowed just four hits in 8.0 frames to tame the Bisons.  
· The righty did not allow a hit through the first 3.2 innings and just two hits through six frames, finishing the day throwing 58 percent of his pitches for strikes.
· Lipscomb's biggest opportunity came in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs trailing 2-0. But, Dibrell forced a key fly out to keep KSU on top as the Bisons left nine on base for the entire game.
· Offensively, Erwin (2-for-4, RBI), Hodges (1-for-2, RBI, HR), and Greeson (2-for-4, 2RBI, HR) drove in all four runs and totaled five of the seven hits.
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· Chris Erwin added to his team-leading RBI total in ASUN action by driving home the first run of the game, and now has 13 to lead the Owls in 13 conference games.
· Garrett Hodges totaled his second collegiate home run, and extended his hitting streak in conference play to eight games.
· Tony Dibrell totaled his sixth game going at least 7.0 innings in a ballgame, with two complete games as part of his season.
· The Owls improve to 4-1 on Friday night ASUN series openers with Dibrell on the hill.
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State continues its ASUN clash with Lipscomb with a 2 p.m.(CT) contest Saturday afternoon. The Owls and Bisons are scheduled to air live on Facebook, courtesy of Lipscomb athletics.