April 12, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Freshman Jessica Cross went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and picked up the win in the circle in game two as Kennesaw State swept Belmont in an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Park. Cross drove in the only run in the Owls' 1-0 win in the opener, while KSU won the second game, 8-0, in five innings.
The Owls (29-15, 7-7 A-Sun) snapped a season-high six game losing streak with the pair of wins and moved head coach Scott Whitlock to within one victory of 1,000 for this career. The Owls' skipper has an all-time record of 999-186 in his 17th season at the helm of the KSU softball program.
Cross scored the lone run of game one in the second inning as she led off the frame. After working the count to 2-2 against the Bruins' workhorse, Sammi Parks (12-17), Cross smacked the next pitch deep to left field and over the fence to give the Owls an early 1-0 lead.
That was all KSU's Brittany Matthews (18-7) would need. After struggling during her last few outings, the Brooks, Ga., native was dominant for the Black and Gold, striking out nine Belmont batters while allowing just four hits and three walks on 126 pitches.
KSU opened the nightcap with two runs apiece in the bottom of the first and second innings. Cross once again started the scoring, smacking her second homer of the day and the 11th of season to deep left center, scoring Amanda Malcom from first to put the Owls up, 2-0.
Jenna Closner started the second inning by reaching base on a fielding error by Parks, and then advanced to second on Hollie Huffman's single to left center. Jordan Hackett reached base immediately following after being hit by a pitch to load the bases. A pair of outs at home plate looked to let Belmont (14-28, 3-15) escape with no harm done, but Catherine Rodriguez had other plans, as she drove home Hackett and Jamie KeKaulua to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Owls put up a single run in the third inning and then loaded the bases again in the fifth, converting on the chase to score three more runs to end the game with an 8-0 advantage through four-and-half-innings.
Cross (5-3) got it done in the circle as well, allowing just four hits and one walk. The Tunnel Hill, Ga., product struck out three batters on just 82 pitches. Heather Grossnickle (1-6) took the loss for the Bruins in game two.
The Owls will hope to propel Whitlock to his 1,000th win when they play host to the Mercer Bears on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from Bailey Park and all the action can be viewed on A-Sun TV.
