THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (22-27, 10-8), NJIT (8-38, 1-17)
Score: Kennesaw State 15, NJIT 5
Starting Pitching Matchup: RHP Brent Jones vs. RHP Gabe Friese
Key Players: Chris Erwin (4-for-5, three runs), Austin Upshaw (2-for-6, two RBI), Griffin Helms (3-for-4, three RBI), Garrett Hodges (2-for-4, three RBI), Jake Franklin (3-for-5, RBI)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)
 
THE STORYLINE: 
· Six runs on six hits over the first three frames helped pave way for Kennesaw State, defeating NJIT in the series finale, 15-5, at Riverfront Stadium Sunday afternoon.
· The Owls' offense displayed its potent ability once again, producing 15 runs on 16 hits that propelled the Black and Gold past the Highlanders for a series win in New Jersey.
· With the victory, Kennesaw State improved to 22-27 overall and 10-8 in the ASUN, clinching a berth in the conference championships. NJIT fell to 8-38 overall and 1-17 in conference action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
· The Owls' lineup produced six innings of two or more runs and scored in eight of their nine at-bats, totaling seven extra base hits –including five doubles— to plate a series-high 15 runs.
· Kennesaw State scored two runs in the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and three more in the seventh, one in the eighth and one more in the ninth to take its largest lead of the ballgame at 15-5.  
· Meanwhile, RHP Gabe Friese, who made his KSU all-time tying 38^th career start, tossed a solid 5.0 frames allowing three runs (one earned) and five hits.
· The righty punched out three NJIT batters and issued just one walk on the day, moving up to fifth all-time in program history with 188 career strikeouts.
· KSU received big days from Chris Erwin (4-for-5, three runs), Austin Upshaw (2-for-6, two RBI), Griffin Helms (3-for-4, three RBI), Garrett Hodges (2-for-4, three RBI), and Jake Franklin (3-for-5, RBI), as the five produced 14 of the 16 hits and drove in nine runs.
· Erwin not only produced at the plate, but tossed three key shutout innings on the mound, allowing just one hit and struck out five to close out the series.   
 
#NESTNOTES: 
· With the series victory and a series loss by USC Upstate, the Owls have clinched a postseason tournament berth for the seventh consecutive season.
· The Owls totaled their 27^th game with 10 or more hits in a ballgame.
· The Black and Gold moved to 5-1 all-time against the Highlanders.  
· Gabe Friese won his 16^th career game on the mound Sunday afternoon, moving one away from tying Josh Carr's KSU program record of 17 wins.
· Friese also made his 38^th career start on the mound, tying Josh Carr for the most in program history.  
· Garrett Hodges' three runs batted in was a career high for the freshman, beating his previous-best two RBI on four different occasions.
· Chris Erwin's four hits tied his single-game career high (Towson, March 25, 2016 & at UNF, March 31, 2017).
 
UP NEXT
Kennesaw State treks to Macon, Ga., to take on in-state rival Mercer in it final non-conference game of the season. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening.