From Kennesaw St. reports THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (2424) vs. Auburn (22-27) Final Score: KSU 7, Auburn 3 Starting Pitching Matchup: LHP Andrew Mitchell vs. LHP Brian Exley (Win) Key Players: Corey Greeson (4-for-5, six RBI); Alex Liquori (2-for-4); Jordan Getzelman (2for-4); Trevor Brown (2-for-3); Owls Pitching Staff
THE STORYLINE:
—Kennesaw State defeated Auburn at Plainsman Park, 73, Wednesday evening to earn a two-game sweep over the Tigers for the first time in program history.
—Corey Greeson’s six RBI and a career-high four hits led an offensive attack that out-hit the Tigers 14-4 before 2,070 fans.
—With the win, the Owls flew back to the .500 mark at 24-24, while Auburn dropped to 22-27 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
—Brian Exley (1-1) made his first collegiate start on the bump, tossing a career-high 4.0 innings of work to earn his first victory as an Owl.
—The lefty worked an efficient evening, tossing 68 pitches as 39 (57 percent) were thrown for strikes.
—Exley struck out three Tigers on the evening while issuing just on walk, and gave up three runs (two earned) on just two hits.
—With Exley working hard early, Corey Greeson’s –who entered the game batting.360 –bat proved to be too much for the Tigers’ staff.
—Greeson, a Calhoun, Ga. native, knocked in a careerhigh six RBI over the first six innings, accounting for two RBI in the second, fourth and in the sixth frame – which was a two-run home run, his fifth of the season.
—The bat of the switchhitting Greeson powered the Owls to a 7-3 lead into the middle of the sixth frame and proved to be too much for the Tigers.
—Behind Exley, the Owls’ pitching staff kept Auburn scoreless for all of one inning, limiting the Tigers to four hits.
—Drew Reeves, Brock Turner, Logan Hutchinson and Erich Stahl came out of the bullpen to keep Auburn off the scoreboard in scoreless frames.
—The bats for Kennesaw State produced 14 hits as Greeson (4-for-5) led the chard as Alex Liquori (2-for4), Jordan Getzelman (2-for4) and Trevor Brown (2-for-3) combined for 10 hits on the night.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
—Brian Exley made his first collegiate start on the mound and worked a new career high in innings pitched.
—Wednesday’s non-conference affair marked the final mid-week clash for the 2016 campaign.
—For the 28th time this season, the Owls totaled 10 or more hits in a game.
—Corey Greeson’s six RBI fell one shy for a single-game record of seven set by Andy Chriscaden in 2012.
—With the win, the Owls swept an SEC opponent for the first time in program history with a 6-5 victory over Auburn at home before taking a 7-3 victory Wednesday.
QUOTABLE
“Corey Greesonwas great tonight at the plate. He was huge for us at the plate with four hits and six RBI, especially setting the tone early offensively. He did a great job getting on base, knocking guys in and had a great job. Brian (Exley) did well tonight with the spot start. I was pleased with him and our bullpen overall,” said Kennesaw State coach Mike Sansing.
UP NEXT
The Owls will take on ASUN foe Stetson at Stillwell Stadium in yet another critical three-game conference series. Kennesaw State will enter the weekend with a 123 mark and the Hatters will come to campus with an 8-7 mark.