Coming off a big series win against conference opponent Arkansas Little Rock, the Georgia Southern Baseball team squared off against in-state foe Kennesaw State in a midweek matchup on Tuesday.

Eagles starting freshman right-handed pitcher David Johnson was set to have a designated short start, according to head coach Rodney Hennon.

Hennon said in the pregame that he hoped to get a maximum of 9 outs out of Johnson, but despite not giving up any runs, a rising pitch count led Johnson to be taken out after just 2 innings of work.

The Owls were able to take advantage of the early pitching change, string together a few hits and capitalize on Eagle mistakes in the top of the 4th inning, where they took a commanding 6-0 lead over the Eagles.

Senior Chandler Corley tried to get the Eagle’s going in the bottom of the 4th launching a solo home run to left, but their offense could not keep up with the red hot Owls.

Already trailing by four runs, the Eagles fell even further behind on the scoreboard after Kennesaw State’s Forrest Bramlett blasted a two run shot to left field, extending the Owl’s lead to 8-2.

The Eagles were able to notch another run on the scoreboard in the 9th, but only after KSU put up four more runs in their half of the inning, giving them 12 on the day.

At the end of the ball game, the Eagles fell to Kennesaw State by a final score of 12-3.

The Eagles will hope to turn things around quickly, when they will travel to Mobile to take on conference rival South Alabama in a crucial 3 game series beginning on Friday, April 13.

First pitch in their game against the Jaguars on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.

Ryan Pye, The George-Anne Sports Candidate, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu