Feb. 6, 2009
Box Score
STARKVILLE, Miss. - It was a successful opener for the Owls as Kennesaw State used a four-run, third inning to defeat Mississippi State, 4-0, at the Bulldog Round-Robin on Friday afternoon.
Freshman pitcher Catherine Tarvin (1-0) was impressive in her first start in an Owls uniform as she held the Bulldogs (0-1) to just five hits in five and one third innings. Jessica Cross earned the save with an inning and two-thirds of one-hit relief as Kennesaw State handed Mississippi State just their third loss in the Bulldog Round Robin in the last seven years.
With the game scoreless after three and a half innings, the Black and Gold (1-0) got to Mississippi State starter Elizabeth Woolven in the fourth. After Kelsey Kulk reached base on an error, Klair Wells and Cross were hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two out, catcher Jenna Closner doubled down the right field line, driving in two runs and Jacki Warren followed with a single to right center, giving Kennesaw State a 4-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs threatened in the sixth inning when All-American Chelsea Bramlett led off the inning with a bunt single. After the junior catcher stole second and third, Ali Bainbridge was hit by a pitch putting runners on the corners. Cross came in to pitch for the Owls and with one out, the sophomore hurler forced a double play to end the inning.
Mississippi State got a single in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Cross held the Bulldogs in check as the Owls won their fourth consecutive season opener since becoming a Division I program in 2006.
Closner led the offensive attack for the Owls, going two-for-three with a run scored while Lyndsay McCurry, Warren and Cross had one hit a piece. Mississippi State, who received votes in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 preseason poll, had six hits in the game and were led by Bramlett who had a pair of singles and three stolen bases.
The Black and Gold continue play in the Bulldog Round-Robin tomorrow afternoon. The Owls will take on the Iona Gaels at 11:00 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. contest against Louisiana-Monroe. Live stats for both games will be available on the Mississippi State athletic website.
