Feb. 11, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga.--Sophomore Jenna Closner's fifth inning grand slam backed another solid pitching performance by Brittany Matthews, giving Kennesaw State a 7-1 victory over Middle Tennessee State in the final game of the Kennesaw State Classic.
Matthews (3-0) went the distance for the Owls, giving up a lone run with two out in the top of the seventh. The senior struck out 13 batters, improving her total to 34 strikeouts on the young season.
The Owls (4-0) drew first blood in the bottom of the first when Jessica Cross homered to left center, putting the home team up 1-0.
The score remained the same until the fifth inning, when the Owls salted the game away. With two out and the bases full of Owls, Closner connected on the first offering from MTSU's Kellie Head for a shot over the Bailey Park fence. The grand slam made it 5-0, and the Owls were never challenged again.
KSU scored a pair of insurance runs in the sixth. With Lyndsay McCurry on third and Jordan Hackett on second, Jacki Warren singled, plating both runners to make it 7-0.
MTSU's (1-3) run came on a solo homer with two outs in the seventh by Whittney Padgett. The run was the only one given up by Matthews in 15.2 innings of work over the weekend.
McCurry had a three-hit performance for the Owls, improving her batting average to .500 on the young season. The freshman from Stockbridge, Ga., also stole a pair of bases, giving her six for the year.
The Owls will return to action this weekend when Kennesaw State hosts the K-Club Classic. KSU will start play against Appalachian State this Friday at 2:00 p.m.
