Frankfort, Ky.- Kentucky State University baseball dropped both games of a doubleheader on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon to Spring Hill College, 17-3 and 13-5.
The two losses by the Thorobreds (16-29, 10-7) marks only the second series loss to an SIAC opponent this season. KSU will host one final series with Albany State University next weekend, before the SIAC tournament in early May.
KSU will finish off the three-game series with SHC on Monday, hosting one, nine-inning game with first pitch scheduled for noon ET.
Game 1: SHC 17 KSU 3
Sophomore starting pitcher Joshua Owsley kept the Badgers in check through the first two innings, only giving up a pair of unearned runs in the opening frame. The KSU offense dented the Badger’s ace with three runs in the second inning, sophomore right fielder Jay Poullard drove in junior catcher Greg Alexander with a RBI double to center. Two batters later sophomore second baseman Russell Sims scorched a double down the left field line for a two-RBI double, giving KSU the 3-2 lead heading to the third inning.
SHC tacked on four combined runs spanning the third, fourth, and fifth innings for a 7-3 advantage. Owsley was relieved in the sixth by freshman pitcher Connor Kelley, getting out of the inning unscathed and within striking distance.
With the KSU offense sputtering, SHC played add-on in the top of seventh as Kelley gave up ten total runs, seven earned through the final frame for a final score of 17-4.
Game 2: SHC 13 KSU 5
Senior pitcher Josh Dunn (6-5) struggled for the first time in a start since the beginning of the season in February as the Thorobreds’ ace gave up 13 runs, eight earned over six and a third innings of work.
SHC jumped out early with six runs in the first inning putting KSU in an early hole, but the Thorobreds played comeback in the following two innings. Story connected on an RBI single to right in the first inning, and followed up with an RBI double to right field in the second inning, leading the way for KSU as they pulled within one at 6-5, going into the third inning.
The Badgers took control of the remainder of the contest, adding seven runs in the final four innings to hand the home squad their second loss of the day.
Story went 3-for-4 with an RBI, earning his team-leading 20th multi-hit game of the season. Junior shortstop Justin Stinson went 3-for-4 from the plate as well for the Thorobreds.