STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
Kennesaw State used a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning to power past Canisius baseball, 8-4 in the opening game of the four-game series on Friday. Canisius had just knotted the game up 1-1 in the top half of the inning prior to the Owls home-half rally. With the loss the Griffs drop to 12-8, while Kennesaw State improve to 9-12 overall.
With the score 1-0, Christ Conley reached base with a free pass and moved over to second, prior to two straight put outs by the Owls.
Tim Kensinger walked following the pair of killings, putting runners on first and second base before a single by Jake Burlingame put the runners in motion.
A throwing error by Kennesaw State led to Conley scoring and brought Kensinger to the plate before a well-timed throw caught the outfielder and ended the inning, with a tied 1-1 score.
The Owls answered back in the home half, rallying with four runs and three hits to retake the lead 5-1, an advantage it never relinquished.
Canisius attempted the come back in the top of the seventh as an RBI double by Stephen Bennett scored one, and a two RBI single by Conely drew the Griffs closer, but again the Owls answered with a run in the home half of the frame.
Zachary Sloan got the start and worked four innings and allowed five runs and five hits to go along with five walks, as he dropped to 1-1 on the year. Brennan Smith came on in relief and worked two innings, allowing two hits and two runs, while Kyle Warner finished the final two innings and allowed three hits and one run.
Conley led the team in both hits and RBI, going 2-of-3 at the dish and tallying a pair of RBI and run in the contest. Nicholson also tallied a pair of hits for the Blue and Gold offense.
Canisius will have a doubleheader against Kennesaw State on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., before wrapping up the series on Sunday with first pitch at noon.
