Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Kennesaw State baseball dropped its second pool play game to Liberty by a score of 12-6 on Wednesday afternoon inside Swanson Stadium. The Owls (32-26, 19-11 ASUN) fall to 0-2 in Pool A, while the Flames (35-20, 29-11 ASUN) improve to 2-0.

Kolby Johnson put together a gutsy performance for the Kennesaw State pitching staff. The right-hander entered in relief and went a season-long 6.1 innings to bridge the game for the bullpen. He ended the afternoon with three strikeouts.

The Owls' offense collected 11 hits and had four starters with multi-hit days. The team has totaled 23 in its first two games of the tournament.  

Josh Hatcher continued his hot streak with a two-homer performance. The KSU center fielder blasted his 11th and 12th dingers of the year in a 2-for-5 afternoon with four RBI. He has totaled three long balls in the tournament and raised his season batting average to .395.

In his first at-bat, Cash Young launched his team-leading 17th home run of the year. The third baseman finished 2-for-4 and recorded RBI number 57. He has gone deep in both games of the ASUN tournament.

Spencer Hanson added a multi-hit afternoon with a 2-for-3 performance. The KSU designated hitter also added a walk and one run scored.

Nick Colina recorded two hits and a run scored in the ballgame. In his last two games against Liberty, the outfielder has five hits in eight at-bats.

Mason Jones was productive in the nine-hole of the lineup and went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jones lined a single to right in his first at-bat that brought home the second KSU run of the day.

Liberty scored six runs in the first inning, but Kennesaw State answered with five runs in the next frame. Young ripped a solo shot to start the second and Jones brought in one on an RBI single. With one out, Hatcher blasted a three-run bomb to center that pulled the score to 6-5.

In his next at-bat in the fourth inning, Hatcher launched his second long ball of the afternoon to tie things up at six apiece. The homer marked the 12th of the season for the center fielder and his third in the Owls' two ASUN tournament games.

Liberty added two runs in the fourth and four in the seventh to increase its lead to 12-6 which held as the final.

The Owls are back in action tomorrow for the final game of pool play versus No. 4 Florida Gulf Coast. The winner of this game advances to bracket play while the loser is eliminated from the tournament. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. inside Swanson Stadium.

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.