By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score Photo Gallery
Photo Courtesy: Greg Ranallo
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls took advantage of another strong performance in the pitcher’s circle from Amanda Henderson, and put up two big innings on their way to handling the Samford Bulldogs, 10-2, in six inning at Bailey Park on Thursday night.
Henderson earned the win for the Owls (16-12), moving to 7-4 on the season, while tossing 11 strikeouts in the contest, her sixth effort this season that resulted in 10 or more strikeouts. After allowing a run on a hit batter, sac bunt and fielder’s choice in the first inning, the sophomore would go on to retire 15 straight. She didn’t give up a hit until there was one out in the sixth inning, on a slow chopper to shortstop, with the Owls up 8-1. The hit would be one of just two on the night for Samford (6-22).
“Amanda struggled a little bit early in the game and in the sixth inning, but was fantastic in between,” Owls head coach Scott Whitlock said. “I thought we lost a little focus late in the game, it was a good win, but I want to see our team stay in the moment until the final out.”
The Owls were able to take advantage of some wild pitching from the Bulldogs, drawing 13 walks while advancing on four wild pitches. They scored four runs in the second inning, mainly on the strength of a two-out, bases loaded double by Carly Van Auken, clearing the bases and giving the Owls a, 4-1, lead. Natalie Rhodes would follow her to the plate, lacing a 2-0 pitch down the right field line to drive in Van Auken.
They would score four again in the fifth, with Sharon Swanson hitting a solo shot for her 10
th home run of the season. After Bianca Durant and Brittany Moore walked, Lindsay Vollmer would single to centerfield to drive them in. Mandi Burns, who pinch ran for Vollmer, would eventually come around to score after three more Owls would walk during the frame.
With the Owls leading, 8-2, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning after they allowed the Bulldogs to score in the top of the frame, they would load the bases with nobody out courtesy of a single by Bianca Durant and a pair of walks. After Vollmer notched her third RBI of the evening by hitting a deep fly ball to center field that would score Swanson, Van Auken ended the game by drawing a four-pitch walk, making it a, 10-2, margin, invoking the eight-run lead after five innings or later rule.
Rhodes was the lone Owl to have multi-hits in the contest, going 2-for-3 while also drawing a walk.
Kennesaw State hosts Georgia Southern in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., before wrapping things up with a single games against them on Sunday at 1 p.m. The three-game series will be the first in Owls softball history, home or away.
Notes:
-With the win, the Owls moved to 7-1 all-time against Samford, and 4-0 against the Bulldogs at Bailey Park.
-The complete game was the eighth of the season for
Amanda Henderson, who has now tallied 116 strikeouts on the season.
-The Owls 13 walks were the most they have had as a team in a single game in their Division I-era (2006-present).
