LOYOLA MARYMOUNT BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | TEMPLE BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Kennesaw State softball team split its opening games at the USF-Under Armour Invitational, dropping a 1-0 decision to Loyola Marymount in eight innings, before registering a 5-4 nine-inning win over Temple on Friday, Feb. 28 at the EC Moore Softball Complex.
 
It was a pitcher's duel against LMU as senior pitcher Amanda Henderson (6-3) went all eight innings while giving up only two hits in the contest. With the game scoreless through seven innings, the Lions began the eighth inning with a runner on second base courtesy of the International Tiebreaker Rule. LMU then used a double to deep right center to score the game-winning run from second base.
 
The Owls (7-6) rebounded in their second game of the day and wasted no time in taking a 1-0 lead over Temple in the first inning on an RBI-single from redshirt-senior Sara Sikes to score sophomore Kara Chambers from second base.
 
TU evened the score at 1-1 with a home run to open the bottom of the first, before taking 2-1 lead with a run in the third on a RBI-double to left center.
 
Back-to-back runs in the fifth and sixth innings on a RBI-single through the left side from senior Angie Dascoli and a long ball from sophomore Missy Perkowski put the Owls up 3-2 heading into the seventh inning.
 
In the top of the seventh Temple put runners at first and second, before taking advantage of back-to-back hit-by-pitches to bring in the tying run and send the contest to extras.
 
After both teams plated a run in the eighth inning, freshman Taylor Denton proved to the be the winning run in the top of the ninth as she was placed on second due to the International Tiebreaker Rule and then advanced to third on a TU error. Junior Natalie Rhodes then brought Denton home on a sacrifice fly to center field. Henderson worked a one-two-three inning in the bottom of the ninth to secure the 5-4 win for the Owls, her sixth of the season.
 
Both teams registered 11 hits and two errors in the contest, with Perkowski leading the way with a 3-for-4 performance, two RBI and a run.
 
Junior pitcher Paige Mathews went six and a third innings, giving up three runs and totaling a season-high seven strikeouts in the outing. Henderson entered in the top of the seventh in relief, allowing one run and one hit while striking out three in two and two-third innings.
 
Amanda Gatt (1-1) took the loss for TU, giving up all five runs and 11 hits in nine innings of work.
 
KSU continues the USF-Under Armour Invitational on Saturday (March 1) with a 2:15 p.m. ET game against Toledo, followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest against Villanova.

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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