Kennesaw State’s baseball team will face a winner-take-all game on Monday against Alabama in the NCAA regional in Tallahassee.
The Owls were beaten 4-1 by the Tide on Sunday, preventing them from becoming the first team in 21 years to a win a regional in its debut. They will meet in the deciding game at noon Monday. The winner will advance to the Super Regional at Louisville.
Alabama got everything it needed with three runs in the fourth inning.
Ben Moore singled with one out and advanced to third on a single by Wade Wass. Moore scored on a fielder’s choice on Austen Smith’s at bat. A second out later, Casey Hughston doubled to left to drive in Smith and Waas.
The Owls (39-24) answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Max Pentecost singled and stole second. He scored on a single by Chris McGowan. Kennesaw State loaded the bases but Cornell Nixon struck out swinging.
Importantly for Alabama (37-23), starting pitcher Taylor Guilbeau earned the win by pitching all nine innings, preserving the Tide’s bullpen for Monday’s finale.
Gabe Friese pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, just two earned. The Owls, who had won their nine previous games, mustered just five hits.
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