Feb. 13, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Owls lost their home opener on Friday afternoon as Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville used a six-run fifth inning to upend the Owls, 9-3, in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament at Bailey Park.
The Owls (3-2) spotted SIUE a run in the first inning, but came back and tied the game in the bottom half of the inning when Jenna Closner ripped a two-out, RBI double to the gap in left center field. Closner, who is hitting over .400 on the season, also singled in a run in the bottom of the fifth inning as she increased her hitting streak to four games.
Kennesaw State, however, could not over come the longball as SIU-Edwardsville hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Lauren Zembruski (2-for-4) hit a grand slam and Nicole Beecher (1-for-2) followed with a solo shot for a 9-2 lead.
The Cougars (6-1) took the lead in the top of the fourth inning when, trailing 2-1, they scored a pair of runs on a two-run single by Courtney Mall. SIUE's center fielder had three hits on the day and scored a pair of runs as she and Chaleen Rumpf each had three hits to lead a 12-hit barrage.
The Owls used a trio of freshman pitchers in the game with Catherine Tarvin, Amanda Buns and April Harper all making an appearance. Tarvin took the defeat, lasting three and one-third innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Burns threw an inning and one-third while Harper finished things off, allowing just two hits in two and one-third innings.
Hollie Huffman had two hits in the game as the Black and Gold pounded out eight hits off the Cougars Erika Taylor, who at times was overpowering. SIUE's starter struck out 13 KSU batters in the complete game win.
