JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State suffered its first setback of the 2015 season as No. 19 Kennesaw State plated 12 runs in the first six innings to post a 14-8 win in the first game of a weekend series at Rudy Abbott Field

Both teams dealt with the frigid temperatures and wintry precipitation falling throughout the Friday contest.  It was the Owls' bats that thawed out first as they tallied 12 of their 18 hits in the first six innings to key the 12 runs in the first six innings.  After a scoreless first frame, KSU scored runs in the next five frames to build a sizeable lead.  KSU also took advantage at the plate with key two-out hits to drive in eight of its 14 runs with two outs.  The Owls' bottom half of the line up sparked the offensive explosion as the last three in the order connected on eight hits combined.  Taylor Allum and Jeremey Howell were two of the four Owls who finished the day with three hits.  Kal Simmons and Brennan Morgan also collected three hits.  Simmons belted the lone home run if the contest with a solo shot to right in the sixth to highlight KSU's five-run sixth.

JSU (3-1) struggled offensively at the start, but plated three runs after three plate appearances to trim the KSU lead to 4-3.  Even though the hits were not coming, the Gamecocks took advantage of a pair of KSU miscues and seven walks combined by KSU's first two pitchers.  After getting on the board in the second, JSU plated two more runs in the third after Gavin Golsan started the inning by getting on base via an error and eventually would score on a bases loaded walk by KSU starter, Jordan Hillyer.  Freshman Taylor Hawthorne would also get an RBI on a bases loaded walk.

Junior Paschal Petrongolo had the hottest bat for JSU as he extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a 3-for-4 performance at the dish and drove in a pair of runs in the loss.  Petrongolo had a double in the eighth to highlight JSU's three-run eighth to cut the KSU lead to 12-8.  Sophomore Joe McGuire was the other Gamecock with multi hits in the game. 

KSU (4-1) touched Jax State starter Zachary Fowler for nine hits and seven runs in his second Friday start.  Fowler, who had five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work, suffered his first loss of the year.  Freshman Grant Chandler pitched 2.2 innings and allowed just one earned run.

The Owls' Mason Ward notched the win in his first appearance of the season.  Mason tossed three innings and allowed three JSU hits and two runs scored. 

The remainder of the three-game series has been altered due to the impending weather conditions that have played havoc in the region.  The Owls and Gamecocks will play a twinbill on Saturday at Rudy Abbott Field.  First pitch is set for 12 p.m.  Live stats will be available at JSUGamecockSports.com.