By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State Owls softball team hosts another one of their local rivals on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Park, when the Georgia State Panthers make the short trip up I-75 for a 1:00 p.m. matinee.
The Owls (6-4) are coming off of an 8-3 loss at No. 8 ranked Georgia Tech on Wednesday night, though the score does not accurately paint a picture of how competitive most of the game was. The Owls trailed just 5-3 as late as the sixth inning, and brought the tying and lead runs to the plate in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively.
Redshirt sophomore Jessica Cross will look to continue her terrific play against the Panthers (7-2), who are coming off a home sweep of Siena. Cross, who pitches and plays shortstop, is 7-for-11 over her last three games, with her streak including four home runs and eight RBIs. She also pitched a complete game against Troy, allowing just one run on six hits.
The Panthers are led by senior shortstop Rachel Cunningham and pitchers McCall Langford and Lana Thomas. Cunningham enters the game leading the team in batting average at a .400 clip over the first nine games. Langford and Thomas are both 3-0 on the mound this season, sporting earned run averages of 1.42 and 1.44, respectively.
The two squads split a pair of games at Georgia State’s home field in Panthersville last season. Saturday will be the first of two games the clubs will play this season, with the Owls visiting Panthersville once again on March 24.
