Kats drop Game 2, 7-6, at Kennesaw State

Saturday, May 2

Kennesaw, Ga.

3:00 PM

20-27, 9-14

Kennesaw State

21-22, 10-13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Sam Houston	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	6	5	1
Kennesaw State	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	3	X	7	10	1

Photo by: Bryan Dykstra

Kats drop Game 2, 7-6, at Kennesaw State

5/2/2026 6:52:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State got a 3-run home run from Jackson Chirello in the bottom of the eighth to give the Owls a 7-6 win over Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon at Mickey Dunn Stadium.

Sam Houston (20-27, 9-14 CUSA) led for the bulk of the day but suffered its third straight 1-run loss thanks in large part to the longball once again as each of the Owls' (21-22, 10-13) homers pushed them in front. The first was a 2-run shot from Chris Cole in the seventh which put them up 4-3, but it was Chirello's blast – his third of the weekend – that was the biggest blow of the day.

The Kats had just responded from Cole's go-ahead homer with a 3-run top of the eighth, tying it on a sac fly from Cade Corcoran before going up 6-4 on an opposite-field, 2-run blast from Nathan Fink. However, the Bearkat bullpen could not hold the advantage as the Owls drew consecutive walks to open the eighth before Chirello took Zak Johnson deep for what proved to be the winning blast.

Johnson took the loss, falling to 2-3 on the year, while KSU reliever Nate Helman got the win despite surrendering the lead in the top of the inning. Daniel Powell came in to get the final three outs for his second save of the weekend and seventh of the year.

The late runs spoiled a pair of outstanding outings from each team's starter, including Tyler Ryden who needed just 85 pitches to navigate 6.0 innings. He scattered five hits and allowed just two runs while tying his season high with six strikeouts and ultimately left with the Kats up 3-2.

On the other side, KSU starter Nolan Sliver walked each of the first three hitters of the game, but limited Sam Houston to just one run in that inning and did not allow another base runner until the Kats got to him for a pair of 2-out runs in the fourth. He ultimately logged 7.0 innings – the longest outing by an Owl starter this season – and struck out four while scattering just three hits.

Sam Houston finished with just five hits in the game, but four went for extra bases. Hunter Alvord and Wes Baker had back-to-back doubles in the fourth with Baker's bringing in a pair and putting the Kats up 3-1 at the time. Ryan Franden reached base three times in the game, while Jeric Curtis reached base twice, including a double in the eighth which put the Kats in position to re-take the lead in the frame.

UP NEXT
The Kats will close the series on Saturday at Kennesaw State on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. CT from Mickey Dunn Stadium. The game is scheduled to be aired on ESPN+.