Box Score BOX SCORE

KENNESAW, Ga. – The University of Evansville baseball team suffered a 6-3 loss to Kennesaw State Saturday afternoon in Kennesaw, Ga., as the Owls scored the first six runs of the game and staved off a late Purple Aces’ rally.
 
Evansville (3-9) scored all three of its runs in the seventh and was led by redshirt junior Johnny Day, who finished 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI.  Sophomore Kyle Pollock was the only UE player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with two singles.
 
Sophomore starter Kyle Freeland (2-2) went the distance for UE, allowing six runs, three earned, on 11 hits in his 8.0 innings on the mound.  Freeland tallied eight strikeouts without issuing a walk.
 
“This was another tough loss for us behind a strong effort from Kyle Freeland,” head coach Wes Carroll said.  “Offensively, we just aren’t clicking right now and we need to make some adjustments.  We need to get out front early in the game tomorrow and get a win to salvage the weekend and take some momentum into our home slate.”
 
Kennesaw State (9-6) took a 2-0 lead in the first, scoring its first run when Andy Almonte led off the inning with a single and later stole home and added the second on an RBI single from Bo Way.
 
The Owls hung three more runs on the board in their half of the third on four hits, including a two-run single by Way, who finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.
 
KSU scored its final run in the bottom of the sixth on Kal Simmons’ RBI single to left that plated Alex Liquori.
 
Evansville mounted its comeback in the seventh, after Kennesaw State went to the bullpen and replaced starter Kevin Kyle (2-2) with Kevin McCoy.  With one out in the inning and freshman Eric McKibban on first, fellow freshman Jonathan Ramon drove a double into the gap in right center to put runners and second and third.  Two batters, later, redshirt sophomore Kevin Kaczmarski drew a walk to load the bases and the Owls went to the bullpen once again, turning to Justin McCalvin.
 
Sophomore Jake Mahon drove in the Aces’ first run with a single and Day followed with a two-run single up the middle, before McCalvin ended the rally by getting Pollock to ground into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
 
UE will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow at 1 p.m., when it sends senior Kyle Lloyd (1-1, 3.18 ERA) against Kennesaw State’s Will Solomon (1-1, 4.72 ERA).