BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite a two-run home run from junior Hillary Kartman, the Kennesaw State softball team dropped a 13-5 decision to No. 13/14 Tennessee in five innings in front of a record-setting crowd of 816 fans on Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon at Bailey Park in day two of the KSU Classic.
 
"It was a very exciting day for everyone associated with our program and having a team like Tennessee playing on our field was a very exciting opportunity," said interim head coach Tory Acheson. "Obviously, the atmosphere was amazing having a packed house like we had. I was very proud of way the kids played. We gave it all we had and some things did not go our way which led to the score being as lopsided as it was, but we definitely earned some respect today by the way we swung the bats and the way we scored runs. I was very, very proud of the team and looking forward to what this indicates for the future.
 
After the Vols (3-0) scored the game's opening run, KSU responded with three runs in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI-double from junior Kara Chamber, before Kartman brought her home on a two-run shot to center field. It was the junior's second home run of the season.
 
Leading 3-1 heading into the second, the Owls (2-1) were hampered by three errors as UT capitalized to take a 7-3 advantage with six runs on three hits and back-to-back walks with the bases loaded.
 
KSU pulled within 7-5 in the bottom of the second as senior Natalie Rhodes recorded her third triple of the season to plate junior Missy Perkowski. Sophomore Taylor Denton then scored Rhodes on a single to centerfield.
 
UT then put the game away with six more runs in the third inning on four muli-base hits, including a two-run homer from Gretchen Aucoin.
 
The Owls put up six hits and had three errors in the setback, while the Vols registered 12 hits and one error in the win.
 
Senior Monica Vickery (1-1) took the loss after giving up four earned runs on one hit.
 
Aucoin (2-0) earned the win for the Vols and did not allow a run in 3.1 innings of relief work.
 
The Owls conclude the KSU Classic on Sunday (Feb. 8) with a 5:30 p.m. ET contest against Tennessee Tech at Bailey Park.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.