By: By Libby Knight
KENNESAW STATE (8-8) VS GEORGIA SOUTHERN (13-5)
GAME 17 | MARCH 5, 2014
KENNESAW, Ga. | BAILEY PARK (600)
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | PROMOTIONS | TWITTER
THE GAME:
The Kennesaw State softball team returns to Bailey Park to begin a seven-game home stand as the Owls host regional rival Georgia Southern in a non-conference tilt on Wednesday, March 5. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com.
TWITTER: Follow the Kennesaw State softball team on Twitter @
KSUOwlsSoftball to receive updates throughout the game.
THE OPPONENT:
Georgia Southern
After dropping back-to-back games, the Eagles have won four-straight contests, with all four coming at the Georgia Southern-hosted Eagle Classic this past weekend. GSU posted wins over Tennessee State (13-1, 3-0), Troy (2-0) and Middle Tennessee State (4-1). The Eagles are led on offense by Taylor Rodgers with a .563 batting average and Kourtny Thomas, who leads the team in hits (18), RBIs (20) and home runs (six). In the circle, Georgia Southern is paced by Sarah Purvis (6-2), who owns an ERA of 0.79 in 53 innings and 67 strikeouts. The Eagles have enjoyed playing at Eagle Field with a 7-2 home record, but are 0-2 away from Statesboro.
THE SERIES:
It will be the 26th meeting between the Owls and the Eagles, with KSU holding 16-9 advantage. The Owls took a 6-2 win over GSU in the team's lone meeting a season ago as senior pitcher
Amanda Henderson dominated the Eagles from the circle, totaling 13 strikeouts in a complete game effort and did not give up a hit until the fifth inning. Then-senior
Sharon Swanson led the Owl offense with a 2-for-3 performance, four RBI and a run.
LAST TIME OUT:
Kennesaw State went 2-3 at the USF-Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater, Fla., earning a 5-4 nine-inning win over Temple and a 7-0 blanking of Villanova, as well as setbacks to Loyola Marymount (1-0 in eight innings), Toledo (10-5) and No. 14 Stanford (8-0). Senior pitcher
Amanda Henderson posted both wins, while not allowing an earned run in 19.2 innings of work. She totaled 28 strikeouts over the weekend, including a season-high 11 strikeouts against Villanova.
NEXT UP:
The Owls continue their seven-game home stand as they look to open Atlantic Sun Conference play with a bang when they face North Florida in a three-game series this weekend. KSU and UNF will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8, followed by a single game on Sunday, March 9. Game time is set for 1 p.m. for both days.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Henderson in the Circle
Senior pitcher
Amanda Henderson (7-4) leads the Owls in the circle and ranks in the top six in the conference in several categories, including appearances (t-first, 12), wins (second, seven), strikeouts (second, 66), innings pitched (second, 55.2), opposing batting average (fourth, .152) and ERA (sixth, 1.13).
Dascoli at the Plate
Senior
Angie Dascoli leads the Owls with 18 hits and a .391 batting average, which sits ninth in the conference.
Double Sutter
Sophomore
Courtney Sutter ranks second in the league in doubles with six on the season and leads the Owls with 11 RBIs this season.
Strikeouts
The Owls rank third in the A-Sun in batters struck out with 105 strikeouts in 111 innings.
Fielding Percentage
The Owls own the third-highest fielding percentage in the Atlantic Sun Conference at .964 with 332 putouts and 127 assists, including eight double plays, while only committing 17 errors on the season, the third-lowest total in the league.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter
@KSUOwlNation and @
KSUOwlsSoftball or by liking Kennesaw State University on
Facebook.
Season tickets are on sale for the entire home slate at $39, with single game tickets available for $6 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 3-12). To order season tickets contact the KSU Athletics Ticket Office at 770-423-OWLS (6957) or click HERE.
- #GoKSUOwls -
