Feb. 16, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State jumped out to an early 2-1 lead, but gave up five runs in the top of the third inning and two more in the seventh as Western Carolina took the first of a three-game series, 9-6, at Stillwell Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Owls (0-2) jumped out to a 2-1 lead before the Catamounts responded in the third. Nick Liles led off the frame with a single and Barrett Shaft singled through the left side. After KSU hurler Bubba Blalock's pick-off attempt went into centerfield, Liles advanced to third to put runners at the corners.

Western Carolina (1-0) tied the game when Liles came home on a fielder's choice, before another KSU error loaded the bases when first baseman Andrew Martin mishandled a short toss from Blalock.

John Ingram then singled through the right side, scoring Blake Murphy and Jonathan Greene to give the Catamounts a 4-2 lead. Kenny Smith strolled to the plate next and doubled to right field, extending the lead to 6-2.

Kennesaw State got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth when Andrew Martin started the rally with a double to right center and then Ray Redden reached on a throwing error. Tyler Stubblefield notched his first run batted in when his fielder's choice scored Martin, who had advanced to third on wild pitch.

Red-hot Jacob Robbins, who had four hits in the game and earlier extended his hit streak to 24 straight games, plated Redden to pull the Owls win two at 6-4. Unfortunately for the Owls, that was as close as KSU would get as they dropped their second straight game.

Tyler Sexton picked up the win for the Catamounts after going five innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out four Owls. Blalock suffered the loss for KSU, despite only allowing just one earned run and five hits in four innings of work.

The two teams will continue their series tomorrow afternoon at Stillwell Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.