By: KSU Sports Information
Stetson: Box Score A-Sun Recap
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Jacksonville: Listen Watch Live Stats
Owls A-Sun Tournament Guide
SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Kennesaw State Owls dropped a, 7-2, decision to the Stetson Hatters on Thursday morning in their opening game of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship at Cyrill Stadium on the campus of USC Upstate. They play again tonight at 6:30 p.m. in an elimination game against Jacksonville.
The Owls (30-23), who are the No. 2 seed in the championship, took a, 2-1, lead in the bottom of the third inning on the strength of solo home runs by Jessica Cross and Bianca Durant, but things would unravel quickly for the Black and Gold. In the top of the fourth inning, the Hatters (26-20) would capitalize on their window of opportunity to move back in front, scoring four runs on four hits and an Owls error.
After striking out the leadoff batter to start the frame, junior Abbey Mixon would allow a base hit before a throwing error on what was intended to be sacrifice bunt put two on with just one out for the Hatters. Another walk would load the bases, and would prompt Owls head coach Scott Whitlock to replace Mixon in the circle with sophomore Amanda Henderson.
The first batter she faced was Brittany Knipp, who laid down a perfect bunt between the pitcher’s circle and first base to score a run. That would be followed by a sacrifice fly and two consecutive two-out, RBI singles by No. 6-seeded Stetson to make it 5-2 before the inning was through.
Stetson would add two more runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Courtney Brandt to make it a five-run game. The Owls gave themselves a small sliver of hope in the bottom half of the inning, when a single by freshman Kaylee Williams and walkd by fellow freshman Natalie Rhodes put two runners on with two outs, but Stetson starter Meredith Owen, who allowed six Owl hits over her complete game effort, was able to avoid any damage and get out of the inning unscathed. She would retire the Owls in order in the seventh to seal the decision.
Cross’ home run in the third inning that tied the contest at one apiece was the 49
th home run of the season for the Owls, breaking the program’s record for home runs in a single season. It was also the 10
th home run of the season for the A-Sun Player of the Year, and gave her 54 for her career, just four short of Cambria McKay’s all-time Owls career record. Durant’s blast was number eight on the year for the sophomore.
Cross and Durant each had two hits in the contest, representing the Owls who had multiple hits.
The Black and Gold will face the No. 5- seeded Jacksonville Dolphins at approximately 6:30 p.m. The Dolphins topped Lipscomb on Wednesday evening, 2-1, before falling in extra inning to FGCU on Thursday afternoon, 8-4, in eight innings.
Fans can watch the A-Sun Championship for free on Thursday and Friday on at
www.ASun.tv, and all Owls games will have free, live audio on KSU All Access at
www.KSUOwls.com/Showcase. Saturday’s championship games will be aired on ESPN3.
