Box Score
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball dropped its series opener to Liberty by a score of 9-2 on Friday night inside Stillwell Stadium. The loss snapped a streak of four consecutive series opening wins for the Owls (21-11, 10-3 ASUN Conference).

The KSU offense tallied five hits in the contest. Four Owls recorded one base knock while Josh Hatcher was the lone Owl in the multi-hit category. The game broke a 12-game stretch that saw Kennesaw State compile nine-or-more hits.

Hatcher lined a single up the middle in his third at-bat to extend his hit streak to 27. The KSU outfielder finished the game 2-for-3 with a home run and one walk. Hatcher has reached base safely with either a hit or walk in 31 straight.

At the conclusion of tonight's game, Hatcher currently ranks second in the country in hits (60) and fourth in doubles (16). He leads the ASUN in batting average (.432), doubles (5) and triples (3).

In his first at-bat, Cash Young ripped a single up the middle to record his 30th RBI on the year. The infielder has registered at least one hit in 11 of his last 13 appearances. He finished the evening 1-for-4.

Tyler Simon reached base safely four times on the night. The shortstop went 1-for-2 with three walks and one run scored. On Wednesday, Simon was named to the official watch list for the Brooks Wallace Award which is given to the nation's best shortstop.

Liberty (21-11, 8-5 ASUN) struck in the top of the first. The Owls evened the score in the bottom half when Young ripped a two-out single that scored Simon.

The Flames regained the lead in the fourth and scored four runs. Derek Orndorff and Brady Gulakowski flexed their power to put Liberty up 5-1. Liberty added two more in the sixth and seventh to push the score to 9-1.

Hatcher hit a solo shot in the seventh for his fifth of the season. This moved the score to 9-2, which held as the final.

KSU is back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader to conclude its series with Liberty. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. inside Stillwell Stadium. Game two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. 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.