April 24, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - April Harper was masterful in the circle and Catherine Tarvin was clutch at the plate as the Kennesaw State freshmen helped the Owls defeat USC Upstate, 3-0, in the first game of an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader at Bailey Park on Friday afternoon.
Harper (10-8) matched A-Sun Pitcher of the Year, Morgan Childers (21-9) pitch-for-pitch as the two locked horns in a scoreless game into the fifth inning. The Owls' right-hander was in complete control as she retired the leadoff hitter in each inning while allowing just one hit in the game, a second inning, two-out single to Keri Sarratt.
The Owls (20-28, 6-11 A-Sun) threatened early as they stranded two runners on base in both the second and third innings. The Spartans (27-15, 9-8 A-Sun) had their lone rally of the game squelched in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with a pair of walks and fielder's choice before Harper got Kim Brasil to groundout to Jamie KeKaualua at shortstop.
Kennesaw State scored all of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tarvin delivered the game's big blow with the bases loaded. The freshman worked the count even at 2-2 before sitting on a Childers off-speed pitch and ripping it off the wall in right-center field for a triple, clearing the bases with the contests only runs.
Harper's momentum grew as she retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh innings to end Kennesaw State's four-game losing streak. Harper retired the side in order five times during the game as she struck out two batters in the complete game win.
Kelsey Kulk had two hits to lead the Black and Gold offensive attack while catcher Jenna Closner and first baseman Brittany Moore each had singles. KeKaualua, Klair Wells and Tiffany Alvarado each scored runs.
