April 13, 2007
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kennesaw State jumped out to an early lead but a grand slam by Belmont's Jess McMillian was too much for the Owls to overcome as the Bruins edged the Owls, 6-4, to earn a split of Friday's doubleheader at Aquinas Field.
Kennesaw State (33-15, 7-3 A-Sun) got on the scoreboard first, scoring in the top of the first inning as Kelley Cowart got her fourth consecutive hit, stole second and scored on a single by Jennifer Nolan.
However, the Kennesaw State lead only lasted until the third inning before starter Janet Kearns got roughed up. The Bruins (9-30, 4-10 A-Sun) exploded for four runs in the bottom of the third when Meghan Pipkin, Sarah Vaughn and Kelly Major delivered back-to-back-to-back singles before McMillian lifted a grand slam over the left-center field fence to give Belmont a 4-1 lead.
The Owls took a chunk off the Bruins lead, scoring twice in the top of the fifth inning. Keri McKee, who had three hits in the game, singled with one out. Two outs later, April Keasler hit a two-run home run over the left-center field wall, cutting the Belmont lead to one run.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, with Brittany Matthews in the game in relief of Kearns, the Bruins tagged on another run. Kelly Major walked and moved to second on a McMillian single. Sammi Parks then singled to left to score pinch-runner Sarah Bentley and give Belmont a two-run lead.
The Bruins added a run in the bottom of the sixth as Sarah Vaughn hit her third home run of the season over the left field wall to increase Belmont's lead to 6-3.
The Owls threatened in the seventh inning when McKee and Keasler singled. Pinch-runner Jamie KeKaualua scored on an error to bring KSU within two-runs. A Kelsey Kulk single put runners in scoring position and with the tying run at second base, Norie Glazebrook grounded out to Parks for the final out.
Kennesaw State will play Lipscomb in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. First pitch for the Bisons and the Owls will be at 3:00 p.m. EST.
