Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – A ninth-inning comeback was just short as Kennesaw State baseball fell to Florida Gulf Coast 10-9 on Sunday afternoon inside Stillwell Stadium. The Owls (27-21, 15-9) scored two runs in the final frame but it was not enough to down the Eagles (29-18, 14-10).

In the bottom of the ninth, Kennesaw State trailed by one and had runners on second and third with two outs. Mason Jones ripped a fly ball to deep right-center, but it held up just enough for the FGCU outfielder to make a running snag to end the game.

The loss drops KSU to second place in the ASUN East Division behind Liberty. The team will have an opportunity to retake the top spot as it hosts Stetson and then travels to Liberty for the final two conference series.

Offensively, Kennesaw State collected 10 hits at the plate while three Owls went for multi-hit afternoons. The team combined for 30 hits in the three-game series and has totaled 10+ hits in 27-of-48 games this season.

Josh Hatcher paced the offense out of the leadoff spot. The outfielder went 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored in the contest.

Donovan Cash had a big day in the middle-of-the-order. The first baseman finished 2-for-4 with a walk, RBI and two runs scored. Cash finished the weekend 6-for-12 with three runs scored and one RBI.

Other notables were Zac Corbin, Spencer Hanson and Tyler Simon. Corbin finished 2-for-5 while Hanson ended the afternoon 1-for-4 with a team-high three RBI. Simon added one hit and led the team with three runs scored.

FGCU jumped on the board with four runs in the third inning. Kennesaw State answered and cut the deficit in half with two runs in the bottom half. Hatcher blasted his seventh home run of the year to lead off the frame. Simon followed with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Young.

The Eagles added one run in both the fourth and fifth innings to hold a 6-2 lead. The Owls struck back with a four-run fifth to tie the game. KSU slashed three hits, drew two walks, and took advantage of an FGCU error.

Florida Gulf Coast retook the lead in the sixth with a two-out base hit. The Eagles scored three more in the eighth to pull ahead 10-6.

Kennesaw State threatened in the bottom of the frame when Hanson walked and advanced to third on a pinch-hit single from Jones. Nick Colina laced a ground ball to second that brought in a run, but a nice defensive play recorded an out. This pulled the score to 10-7 going into the final inning.

KSU scored twice in the ninth but was unable to move the tying run across the plate. The game ended 10-9 and gave FGCU the series victory.

The Owls are back in action Wednesday, May 11 for a midweek contest with Western Carolina. First pitch is set for 5:00 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.