By: by Scott Lipsky
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BUIE’S CREEK, N.C. – The Kennesaw State Owls continue Atlantic Sun Conference Play on Saturday when they visit the Campbell Camels for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
The Owls (20-17, 4-4 A-Sun) will be trying to snap a three-game slide, one which has seen them score just five runs and notch just six hits, and do it at a critical juncture in their season. With their .500 record in conference play with 12 games to go in the 20-game A-Sun slate, they would be the number four seed if the A-Sun Tournament were to start today, with just six teams making the A-Sun Tournament at season’s end. Mercer and USC Upstate both sit right behind the Owls at 4-6, making it necessary that the Black and Gold keep on locking down wins.
“Whenever you’re in the spot that we’re currently in towards the middle of the conference schedule, it’s critical to make sure that we’re positioning ourselves the best that we can for the conference tournament,” Owls head coach Scott Whitlock said. “It’s important that we play well this weekend, especially because playing on the road in this conference is never easy.”
Owls sophomore Sharon Swanson has continued to be a bright spot for the Owls, having hit a home run in each of their last two games, on Tuesday at Georgia Southern and on Wednesday at Georgia Tech. She comes into the weekend with 11 home runs and 40 RBI, both numbers leading the A-Sun. Her .380 batting average is currently third in the conference.
Campbell (23-18, 7-3 A-Sun) has won their last five games, most recently sweeping Hampton in a road doubleheader on Wednesday. They are led at the plate by senior Amanda Miller, who is batting .324 and has three home runs and 30 RBI. Fellow senior Katie Woodcock and has been their anchor in the pitcher’s circle, compiling a 7-1 record and a 1.92 earned run average.
The two squads split a doubleheader at Bailey Park last season, the Owls taking the first game, 8-0, before falling, 5-1 in the second game. Jessica Cross tossed a three-hit shutout and hit a three-run home run in the win. The Owls lead the all-time series, 6-4.
Saturday’s dou¬bleheader between the Owls and the Camels will mark the final regular season contests between the two ath¬letic programs in any sport. Campbell has announced their inten¬tion to move to the Big South Conference beginning this coming fall. They were charter members of the Big South when the league began play in 1983, and joined the A-Sun, then called the Trans American Athletic Conference, in 1994.
Live stats will be available for Saturday’s twin bill. Live audio and video will also be available via Campbell’s official website, www.gocamels.com, on a subscription basis.
Unfortunately, due to logistical and technical issues, the originally scheduled live blog will not be available.
