By: by Scott Lipsky
Box Scores: Game 1 Game 2
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Kennesaw State Owls got into the swing of things on Tuesday evening, scoring 22 runs in a doubleheader in which they swept Samford, 13-1 and 9-3.
“I thought we got some good mid-week work in tonight,” Owls head coach Scott Whitlock said. “We were able to work on some things and hopefully improve in several areas of our game in advance of our conference contests this weekend.
The Owls (18-12) made quick work of the Bulldogs (7-27) in the first game, scoring runs in each inning on their way to a five-inning, run-rule, win. After taking advantage of some erratic Samford pitching early on, as they scored two runs in the first inning on a hit batsman and a walk, the bats really started to get going for the Black and Gold. Sharon Swanson, the Owls leader in batting average at .400, had her first of seven hits on the evening when she hit a single through the middle in the top of the second inning to drive in Bianca Durant and make it 3-1. They would begin to put the game away with a three-run third inning, sparked by a bases loaded, bases-clearing double by Durant with two outs.
Kennesaw State would continue to pile on in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring four and three runs, respectively, on the back of a pair of home runs by Jessica Cross, giving her seven for the season, which is tied with Swanson for the team lead.
Cross was also the star in the pitcher’s circle for the Owls in the first game, going four innings while allowing just one unearned run in the first inning and just one hit, striking out five, to move to 8-4 on the season.
The Bulldogs would keep the Owls at bay for the first part of the second game, taking a scoreless tie into the top of the fourth inning before the Kennesaw State offense erupted once again. Ashlee Burkett and Sharon Swanson would lead off the frame with back-to-back solo home runs, and freshman Stephanie Phillips would step to the plate four batters later and bash a double to center field, driving in Cross to make it 3-0 Owls and giving Phillips her first career RBI.
Not ones to rest on a modest lead on Tuesday evening, the Owls responded with two more in the top of the fifth, Phillips delivering once again, this time with a two-RBI double, driving home Cross and Swanson. They would add four more in the sixth inning, Burkett adding to her RBI total with a hard-hit single off the first baseman’s glove and Swanson following her with a double to right center field that scored Burkett and Lyndsay McCurry. Their ninth and final run of the game came later in the inning on an error on a ground ball hit by Phillips.
Cat Tarvin got the start in the second game for the Owls, going five and two thirds innings and allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out three on her way to earning her third win of the year. Amanda Henderson would take over for Tarvin with two outs in the sixth inning, tossing an inning and a third of scoreless relief.
The five players in the batting order for the Owls; Sara Sikes, Durant, Burkett, Swanson and Cross, all had two hits in the first game. Swanson was 7-for-8 over the course of the two games, driving in four runs. Cross was 5-for-7, her two home runs producing all five of RBI on the evening.
Wednesday evening’s scheduled doubleheader against UAB at Bailey Park has been postponed due to impending inclement weather. The Owls will host a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheaders this weekend, taking on Stetson at 1 p.m. at Bailey Park and Florida Gulf Coast at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday is Lexi’s Day at Bailey Park, with fans having the opportunity to take part in a catered lunch prior to the game from Marietta Fish Market. A 10 dollar donation to the Alexis Kaiser Foundation, which serves to benefit children with special needs and unique circumstances, provides fans lunch and a ticket to the game.
