March 28, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Brittany Matthews picked up a win and a save and Jessica Cross kick started the KSU offense with a two run home run in the first game of Kennesaw State's sweep of a twilight doubleheader against Jacksonville on Friday afternoon at Bailey Park.
The Owls (25-9, 3-1 A-Sun) picked up their first conference sweep of the season with a 4-0, 3-0 sweep of the Dolphins for the Owls first back-to-back shutouts since registering three straight blankings in the Under Armor invitational when they defeated Sam Houston State, Quinnipiac and Fairfield.
Matthews (16-3) tossed a two-hit shutout in the opener as she fanned 12 batters while recording her seventh shutout of the season. The southpaw, who is already the all-time strikeout leader for the Owls, has 193 strikeouts this season and is one away from her 800th career strikeout.
Cross started the Owls offense in the first inning when she ripped her eighth homer of the season, a laser shot to left-center field giving KSU a 2-0 lead. The Black and Gold would add a run in the second inning as KSU pecked out three hits with Amanda Malcom driving in the run with an infield hit.
Three KSU players, Malcom, Lyndsay McCurry and Hollie Huffman had multi-hit games as Kennesaw State's nine hits were the most in a game since a 10-hit effort during a 6-3 win over Georgia Tech on March 12.
In the nightcap, Cross and Ashley Iveson hooked up in a scoreless game until the fifth inning when the Owls rallied for a run. Jenna Closner broke up Iveson's no-hitter with a sharp single between shortstop and third base. After an out, Huffman singled up the middle and with two outs Jordan Hackett walked to load the bases before a passed ball brought home Hesterman.
KSU would add a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hesterman made the score 2-0 with an RBI-single to left field. The Owls would get their third run when a grounder to Iveson was bobbled, scoring Corri Connally.
Angela Lopez (5-5), who relieved Cross with two outs in the fifth inning, picked up her fifth win of the season as she pitched and inning and one-third of one-hit relief. Matthews would earn her third save of the year, striking out the side in the top of the ninth inning.
The Owls will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host A-Sun rival North Florida in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bailey Park.
Sunday's game is Lexi's Day at Bailey Park with all gate proceeds going to support Lexi Kaiser, daughter of longtime KSU supporters Chip and Christy Kaiser who was born with Cerebral Palsy. In addition, Sunday's doubleheader is Kennesaw Youth Softball Day as all Kennesaw youth softball players receive free admission to the game.
