March 25, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Corri Connally and Jessica Cross each had two hits and a run batted in to help the Owls to a game one victory, but Leah McIntosh was lights out in game two as Kennesaw State and the University of Albany split a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Bailey Park. KSU took the first game, 3-0, before the Great Danes won the nightcap, 1-0, behind McIntosh's no-hitter.
The afternoon started well for the Owls (23-9) in game one as Connally plated the Owls first run in the bottom of the first. After Amanda Malcom and Cross each reached base on back-to-back singles, the Owls first baseman put the home team ahead with her tenth RBI of the season when her bloop single found a hole in right field.
KSU struck again in the fifth when Cross' double to left center scored Jordan Hackett from second to give the Owls a 2-0 lead. Hollie Huffman drove in her second run of the season with single up the middle to plate Catherine Rodriguez for the third and final run of the contest.
Meanwhile, Brittany Matthews (15-3) was stellar yet again in the circle for the Black and Gold. The Brooks, Georgia native fanned seven Great Dane batters to move her conference-leading total to 178 strikeouts. Matthews allowed four hits and walked two to pick up her 15th complete game of the season.
Marissa Powell (1-6) suffered the loss for UAlbany after allowing three earned runs and eight hits in six innings of work.
The Great Danes countered with McIntosh (5-3), their ace, in the nightcap. After being roughed up over the weekend in Georgia Spring Fling, McIntosh dug deep and became the first pitcher to no-hit the Owls since KSU made the leap to Division I.
McIntosh struck out 12 batters, including five in a row in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Black and Gold's best chance to score came in the sixth inning when Jamie KeKaualua led off the frame with a full-count walk. Hollie Huffman was next up and reached on a fielder's choice and then advanced to second when McIntosh's throw pulled second baseman, Michelle Connors off the bag.
But Kennesaw State was unable to do anything with the opportunity as Malcom and Cross each struck out to end the inning.
UAlbany posted their run in the final at-bats, beginning with Connors being hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh. Andrianna Walraven was the hero for the Great Danes, singling to right field to plate the only run of the night-cap.
Angela Lopez (4-5) took the loss despite allowing just the one run and tying a season-high with nine strikeouts.
The Owls will be back in action on Friday afternoon when they welcome the Jacksonville Dolphins to town for an A-Sun doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and all the action will be available on A-Sun TV.
