By: by Scott Lipsky
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls survived a pitcher’s duel on an overcast Sunday afternoon, scratching out a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to top the Austin Peay Lady Governors, 1-0, at Bailey Park to wrap up the Buzz Classic.
Owls (13-5) pitcher Jessica Cross and Austin Peay (3-13) hurler Morgan Brewer both had shutdown performances in the pitcher’s circle on Sunday, each going the distance. Cross struck out eight and allowed her only hit to the first batter in the fifth inning, moving her to 7-2 on the season and giving her her fifth complete game of the season. Brewer went six innings, allowing just three hits and a walk to go along with an unearned run.
The Black and Gold scored the lone run of the game courtesy of back-to-back by the Lady Govs. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Bianca Durant was able to get to second base on an errant throw to first from their shortstop, Kayla Davidson, and then scored one batter later when a hard hit ball by Brittany Moore hit of off Davidson’s glove and went into left field, giving the Black and Gold all of the run support they would need.
Cross would retire the Lady Govs in order to end the game, giving the Black and Gold their third consecutive victory.
The Owls had opportunities to put themselves on the board during the game. The Owls had their first two runners reach in the fourth inning, via a hit by Sharon Swanson, who had now hit safely in 15 out of 18 games this season, and an error by the Lady Govs’ pitcher that put Durant on base. They also had two runners on in the second inning with two outs, but both times were unable to convert.
The Lady Govs only had one player move into scoring position during the game, when they had two batters reach in the first inning by way of a walk and a hit batsman.
Burkett and Moore joined Swanson as the other Owls to record hits during the game.
The game against the Lady Govs was not originally scheduled, but was played due to re-scheduling of the Buzz Classic, which was planned to be played exclusively at Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, but had to be partially shifted due to inclement weather. They were initially scheduled to play a pair of games on Sunday against Winthrop and Alabama State.
With the win, the Owls finish the Buzz Classic with a 3-0 record, having defeated Boston University, 5-4 and Niagara, 12-1, on Friday evening.
The Black and Gold return to the diamond on Tuesday, when they host the Penn State Nittany Lions at 2 p.m. at Bailey Park.
