By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – Playing in their first home game since their 3-1 performance at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial, the Kennesaw State Owls fell to the visiting Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 11-1. Early offense by Jacksonville State plagued the Owls early and was too much for the team to recover.
Snapping the Owls (10-5) three game winning streak, the Gamecocks (7-4) started their offensive onslaught in the first inning with a one out single by Kelci Johnston. With runners at first and third, Kristin Graham hit a rocket over the left field fence to put Jacksonville State up, 3-0.
The Owls tried to get something started in the bottom of the first with a single by Ashlee Burkett and a walk to Sharon Swanson, the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week. After a wild pitch advanced Burkett, the inning would end with a strikeout and two left on base.
Jacksonville State increased their lead in the top of the third with a lead-off home run by Abbey Stepp to stretch the lead to four. Three straight walks loaded the bases and a fourth would bring home Sallie Beth Burch. A single by Johnston scored Hayden Crawford and a double by Kaycee Crow would add two more to the onslaught. By time the third out was recorded, the Gamecocks had made it an 11-0 game.
Looking to get back in the game, the Owls Lindsay Vollmer would draw a walk in the bottom of the 4th to get the comeback started. Back-to-back singles by Heather Crow and Jensen Hackett would bring Vollmer home for the only Owls run of the day.
The Owls next contest is Friday, Mar. 4 against Boston University as part of the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. The Buzz Classic is played at the Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, Ga., the same location as the Phyllis Rafter Memorial. The squad plays five games over the three day event, including games against the likes of Boston University, Niagara, UMass, Alabama State and Winthrop.
