BOX SCORE
KENNESAW, Ga. – After struggling to push runs across the plate during the first three games of the series, Morehead State's baseball team exploded offensively in a 17-5 rout over the Owls of Kennesaw State at Stillwell Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles moved to 1-3 on the young season.
After going down in order in the first inning, the Eagles tied the game 1-1 thanks to a solo home run from first baseman
Jackson Feltner. He smashed his first round-tripper of the season over the left-centerfield wall in the top of the second.
In the fourth inning, the Eagles tacked on two more thanks to a single from
Isaias Guzman and
Colton Becker grounding into a fielder's choice, bringing their lead to 3-1.
In the meantime, starting pitcher
Matt Bettio (1-0) was shutting down Kennesaw State. Going 4.2 innings with five strikeouts while only giving up two runs on six hits, Bettio showed great command, especially on his breaking balls, which repeatedly fooled Owls' hitters all day long.
The offense really took off in the fifth inning, starting with a lead-off triple from
Ryley Preece, which was followed by a two-run homer over the scoreboard in right-center from
Roman Kuntz, who finished with three hits (including his homer) and four RBI. Not to be outdone, Feltner stepped into the box and sent a no-doubt-home run over the left field wall, giving the Eagles a 6-1 lead. Feltner finished the day 3-for-3, with two home runs and a double and five RBI.
Kennesaw State pushed a run across in the bottom half of the fifth inning, but the Eagles came out hot in the sixth, scoring five runs thanks to a double from Becker, a single from Preece, a double from
Jackson Feltner, and a sacrifice fly from
Ashton Roy.
Kennesaw State was able to push across three runs in the seventh inning, before veteran lefty
John Bakke came on and shut down the rally with his first of five strikeouts on the afternoon. Bakke, who was nearly untouchable across 2.1 innings, didn't allow a baserunner in his first appearance of the season for the Eagles.
Morehead State was able to push across a run in the eighth and five more in the ninth, including an RBI single from Guzman who finished with four hits and two RBI.
Nick Gooden also knocked in a run with a single, and
Bryson Stripling ended the scoring with an RBI double.
The Eagles have four days off before their home opener versus Canisius that kicks off a four-game series at Allen Field.
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