KENNESAW, Ga. – The William and Mary baseball team fell in the nightcap of a doubleheader 10-1 at Kennesaw State on Saturday night. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 10-9, while the Owls move to 12-10.
W&M recorded just three hits in the game, while freshman Zach Newell finished the game with the Tribe's lone RBI.
Kennesaw State scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning, and never looked back. Corey Greeson led off the inning with a single to right, moving to second on single from Kal Simmons. The next batter, Chris Erwin singled home the game's first run. A double from Chris McGowan scored two runs, before Griffin Helms and Grant Williams each brought in runs with single. A sacrifice fly, from Jeremy Howell brought home the sixth run of the inning. The big inning gave the Owls a 6-0 lead.
W&M responded with a run in the top of the second inning. Freshman Ryan Hall sparked the rally with a walk, moving to second when junior Josh Smith reached on a catcher's interference. Sophomore Tim Hoehn walked, loading the bases, before Newell reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Hall. The run cut the lead to 6-1.
The Owls added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alex Liquori started the rally by reaching on an error, moving to second on a walk by Howell. A pair of groundouts allowed Liquori to score, before Howell scored on a wild pitch. The runs gave KSU an 8-1 advantage.
KSU added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. McGowan doubled into center field, leading off the inning, moving to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Williams singled through the right side, plating McGowan. The run pushed the lead to 9-1 Owls.
The Owls plated their final run of the game in the home half of the seventh inning. Greeson started the inning by reaching on a single, moving to third on a single from Simmons. Chris Erwin brought in KSU's 10th run of the game on a groundout, giving the Owls a 10-1 advantage.
Freshman Robert White made his first career start in the game, and was saddled with his first loss. He tossed two innings, allowing six runs. Sophomore Daniel Powers tossed 1.2 innings allowing one unearned run and two hits, while classmate John Yoest tossed the final inning, striking out one.
The College concludes its four-game road swing when it travels to Richmond on Tuesday, March 24. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. W&M returns to Plumeri Park for a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series against Elon. The series kicks on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m.
