By: by Scott Lipsky
Live Stats
Game Notes
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls play two road games this weekend before delving into the bulk of their Atlantic Sun Conference schedule, visiting Jacksonville State on Tuesday and Georgia State on Wednesday.
The Owls (13-10), are coming off of a 1-0 victory over Samford on Thursday that snapped a five-game losing streak, a pitcher’s duel that featured just four combined hits and a seven-inning, two-hit shutout by Kennesaw State redshirt freshman Jessica Cross.
It was great pitching that was mostly able to lead the Owls out of their doldrums, but it will be important for them to get back their offensive flair as A-Sun season approaches. Freshman first baseman Ashley Burkett, who has gone hitless in her last two games, was on fire prior to the last week-and-a-half, having hit safely in ten consecutive games.
The Owls have already played two games on their A-Sun schedule, having been swept by Florida Gulf Coast during their trip to Florida in the first week of March. Following these two games, however, is when they really start to focus on conference play, as 18 of their remaining 24 games after Wednesday will be played against A-Sun opponents, including their doubleheader matchup against Campbell coming up on Friday.
Tuesday’s battle at Jacksonville State (9-11) will be the first game between the two teams in 2010. The Gamecocks were a part of the Owls’ season-opening tournament, the K-Club Classic, but weather forced a change in the schedule, and the two did not meet. JSU has won the last three meetings against Kennesaw State, including a two-game sweep of the season series in 2009. The Owls lead the all-time series 5-4.
The Gamecocks have been led this season by senior outfielder Hilary Philips. The left-handed batter leads the team in batting average on the season at .344. Senior first baseman Nikki Prier, who is tied for the team lead with Philips with nine RBIs, is currently the hottest hitter on the squad, riding a seven-game hitting streak.
Georgia State (16-8) has won three games in a row and will be trying to rebound from the 2-0 defeat the Owls handed to them at Bailey Park on February 27. The game was a tight one, as the two teams entered the bottom of the sixth inning scoreless, when senior catcher Jenna Closner hit a two-run home run to break the tie and provide the only scoring of the afternoon. It was the fifth win in seven tries for the Owls against the Panthers, as Scott Whitlock’s club leads the all-time series 12-6.
While the Gamecocks have relied heavily on seniors to provide production for them at the plate this season, the Panthers have had a mix of newcomers and upperclassmen lead them to success. Upstart freshman Audrey Mason, an outfielder who actually calls Kennesaw home, is tied for second on the team in batting average at .314, while junior Lauren Jones leads the way at the plate, hitting at a .343 clip.
In the pitcher’s circle, freshman McCall Langford leads them with a 1.28 earned run average. It was the left-hander who was in the circle against the Owls in their February 27 matchup.
The game against Jacksonville State will take place at JSU’s University Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern Time. They take on Georgia State at the Panthers home field at their complex in Panthersville. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. Live stats will be available for both games.
