Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – A great performance on the mound and timely hitting propelled Kennesaw State baseball to its sixth consecutive victory over in-state rival Georgia State on Wednesday night. Freshman pitcher Smith Pinson tossed 6.0 innings, limiting the Panthers to only four hits while striking out eight.

"Our pitching staff competed all night", said KSU head coach Ryan Coe. "For Pinson to do what he did as a freshman in his first career start, that was impressive. Then for Luke (Cooper) to come in for two innings and (Nate) Holler to close the door in the ninth, it was awesome."

KSU (4-1) managed eight hits off the Georgia State (4-1) pitching staff. Zac Corbin led the way going 2-for-4 with one run scored in the victory. Corbin has reached base safely in all five games this season.

Cash Young provided the pop for the offense, going 1-for-5 with a key three-run blast. Young currently leads KSU with two round-trippers on the season. Tyler Simon also flexed his power as the senior ripped a solo shot for his first on the year.  
 
Georgia State took a 3-0 lead early, but the Owls evened the score in the bottom of the third on a two-out home run from Young. "We executed offensively and had some big hits. That's what you have to do to beat a good team like this.", said Coe.

KSU struck again in the sixth, when Corbin singled and then advanced to third after a high chopper from Nick Hassan went just out of reach from the Panthers third baseman. A wild pitch gave the Owls their first lead of the game, leaving Hassan standing on third base.

Brayden Eidson drew a walk and Simon was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Donovan Cash. The sophomore earned an RBI after being hit by a pitch to push the KSU lead to 5-3 going into the seventh inning.

Georgia State cut the lead to one in the eighth, but Simon's solo shot provided the Owls an insurance run late in the game. "That run was huge", said Coe. "A one-run lead in the ninth compared to a two-run lead is a big difference. It gives you a little wiggle room and you can play defense differently. That was big for us tonight."

Coe called on sophomore Nathan Holler to close the door in the ninth. The Lake Barrington, Ill. native retired the side in order, striking out two-of-three batters faced. Holler earned the second save of his career, both of which have been against the Georgia State Panthers.

With the win, KSU moves to 8-2 in its last 10 games against the Panthers. This is the best 10-game stretch of either team in series history (27 games).

The Owls are back in action this Friday, Feb. 25 to start a three-game set against Fairfield University. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.

 
To keep up with the latest on the Kennesaw State baseball team, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook and Instagram.