March 7, 2007

ATHENS, Ga. - Head coach Mike Sansing stood at the steps of the Kennesaw State dugout at Foley Field on Wednesday afternoon awaiting the Owls match-up with the Georgia Bulldogs and the ever-stoic manager was smiles as he watched his Owls stretch while the Bulldogs took batting practice.

Guiding the Owls in their second season of Division I play, Sansing can't relax for any length of time as he battles his way to the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference. However, he can enjoy a second or two of relaxation at the field where this year as his Owls have enjoyed a smart start to the season.

After two weeks and 13 games, the Owls stand at a game-over .500 as Sansing and his youthful squad appear to be headed in a positive direction. A sweep of Georgia Southern (who had swept nationally-ranked Georgia Tech before playing the Owls) highlights the early part of the year as Kennesaw State has won seven of its last 10 games.

Talented underclassman and a strong freshman class is cause for optimism around the north Georgia campus. Two of the Owls leading hitters, Jacob Robbins and Martin Baker, are both sophomores and their leading RBI-man, Jace Whitmer is just a freshman.

Meanwhile the pitching staff is off to its best start in years. New pitching coach Kevin Erminio has done a solid job getting the Owls young, talented arms to perform.

The staff has a pair of shutouts in its first 13 games (Samford and Alabama State) and half the staff has an ERA of three or lower.

Kyle Muschara (2-0, 1.59) is showing the form that made him a draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2003 and closer Justin Freeman has a pair of saves and opponents are hitting just .222 against him.

And although any relaxation isn't around the corner for Sansing anytime soon, post-game victory smiles could be a more familiar sight for Owls this year.