GAME ONE BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | GAME TWO BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team ran into a tough competitor as the Owls dropped a pair of games to No. 21 Tulsa on the first day of the Georgia Tech-Kennesaw State Crossover on Friday, Feb. 21 at Bailey Park. The Owls fell 1-0 in game one, followed by a 6-1 setback in game two.
 
"We need to hit the ball better and be more consistent," said head coach Wes Holly, Jr. "Amanda did well today, but we need to score some runs to support her and the rest of our pitchers. We will get back at it tomorrow against Stony Brook and Georgia State."
 
It was a pitcher's duel in game one as senior pitcher Amanda Henderson and TU's Caitlin Sill battled back and forth from the circle. Neither team was able to gain the edge until the Golden Hurricane (10-1) plated a run in the top of the seventh inning as an opening inning walk, followed by a hit by pitch and a passed ball put the first runner of the day on third base. TU's Cierra Hughes then posted a RBI-ground out to put the visitors up 1-0. It would be the game's only run as the Owls (4-5) could not make a comeback in the bottom of the inning.
 
Despite taking the loss, Henderson (3-2) did not allow an earned run while giving up only two hits and striking out three in a complete game effort.
 
Sill (3-1) gave up one hit to senior Carly Van Auken in seven innings of work, while recording three strikeouts.
 
Tulsa started off quickly in the second game, going up 2-0 in the top of the first after notching three hits and a sacrifice fly as well as taking advantage of a wild pitch.
 
The Golden Hurricane added to their lead with a run in both the second and third innings, before taking a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI-ground out followed by a RBI-single to second base to score a pair of runs.
 
Senior Bianca Durant led off the top of the seventh with double to left center for the Owls and was advanced to third on a single from sophomore Megan Veringa. Durant then scored the lone Owl run when sophomore Courtney Sutter reached on a fielding error by the Tulsa second baseman as TU went on for the 6-1 win.
 
KSU put up seven hits in the contest and committed one error in the loss. Veringa led the Owls with two hits, while junior Natalie Rhodes added a double for KSU.
 
Freshman pitcher Logan Viers (1-1) dropped her first game of the season as she started the contest and went 1.2 innings while giving up five hits and two earned runs. Junior Paige Mathews and Morgan Sikes also saw action in relief.
 
Tulsa registered 11 hits and an error, with Jill Barrett posting three hits and Erica Sampson notched a pair of RBI for the Golden Hurricane.
 
Bailey Erwin (4-0) pitched a complete game, while allowing seven hits and one earned.
 
The Owls continue the GT-KSU Crossover on Saturday (Feb. 22) with a 2 p.m. ET contest against Stony Brook, followed by the Crossover finale for KSU against Georgia State at 4 p.m.

Keep up with Owls softball by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoftball or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
 
 

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