HUNTSVILLE – Hunter Autrey homered twice and drove in five, but a big sixth inning for Kennesaw State spelled doom for the Sam Houston Bearkats on Sunday in a 17-6 loss to the Owls in the series finale on Sunday at Don Sanders Stadium. 

The Kats (8-26, 2-10 CUSA) and Owls (16-19, 7-5 CUSA) were tied at 1-1 through five frames, thanks in large part to a strong start from SHSU's Cam Diaz, but the Owls erupted for 12 runs in the top of the sixth to blow the game open on their way to completing a series sweep, the first time the Kats have been swept at home since 2011. 

Autrey delivered a solo homer in the bottom of the first and an RBI single in the sixth before launching a 3-run blast with two outs in the seventh to push the game to the eighth frame. It was his second career multi-homer game and tied his season high with five RBI.  

Diaz, meanwhile, got his second start of the week and was solid with only one run allowed through 5.0 innings before things began to get away in the sixth. He finished with three runs charged to his ledger and five punchouts, taking the loss to fall to 0-3 on the year.  

Smith Pinson moved to 4-1 for KSU with the win, punching out nine without a walk in 5.2 frames for the Owls.

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The Kats will close out a 9-game homestand on Tuesday when they host former Southland Conference rival Lamar at Don Sanders Stadium.