KENNESAW STATE (15-6, 0-0) VS. USC UPSTATE (14-4, 0-0)
GAMES 22-24 | MARCH 14-15, 2015
KENNESAW, Ga. | BAILEY PARK (600)
 
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE AUDIO (SATURDAY ONLY) | PROMOTIONS | TWITTER
 
THE GAMES:
The Kennesaw State softball team looks to continue its four-game win streak as the Owls open their Atlantic Sun Conference schedule against preseason favorite USC Upstate with a single game on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET, before wrapping up the three-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Owls and the Spartans were originally schedule to play a twin bill on Saturday, with the series finale on Sunday, but weather has once again forced changes in the schedule this season with rain forecasted for Saturday morning.
 
THE COVERAGE:
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com for all three games this weekend at Bailey Park.
LIVE AUDIO: Live audio of Saturday's game with be available via KSUOwls.com with Matt Cason on the call.
TWITTER: Follow the Kennesaw State softball team on Twitter @KSUOwlsSB to receive updates throughout the game.
 
THE PROMOTIONS:
The first 150 fans in attendance on Sunday will receive KSU sunglasses, with kids able to run the bases following the conclusion of the doubleheader.
 
SERIES BREAKDOWN:
Kennesaw State leads, 34-11
Last 5 meetings    
3/31/12         KSU 7-2
3/29/13        UPST 10-0
3/29/13        UPST 4-3
3/30/13       UPST 7-5
4/18/14        UPST 2-1
 
Last Kennesaw State Win         
3/31/12, 7-2, at USC Upstate
Last Upstate Win
4/18/14, 2-1, at USC Upstate
 
LAST TIME OUT:
After posting a 4-1 record in the impromptu Owl Invitational this weekend, the Owls earned their fourth-straight win and fifth in their last six games with a 5-0 shutout against Belmont on Monday. Junior starter Morgan Sikes put up a dominating performance in the circle for KSU and allowed just five hits in seven innings for her third complete game of the season. Junior Kara Chambers continued her strong offensive play with a hit and two RBI against the Bruins, while senior Natalie Rhodes added a hit and two runs.  
 
NEXT UP:
The Owls next travel to Greenville, S.C., for a midweek doubleheader against Furman starting at 3 p.m. ET at Pepsi Softball Stadium.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
300th Division I Win
With the Owls' 5-0 shutout against Belmont, Kennesaw State earned the program's 300th Division I win and are in their 10th season at the Division I level.
 
A-Sun Opener History
The Owls are undefeated in Atlantic Sun Conference home openers in its nine year history in the league, while holding a 4-5 mark in overall A-Sun openers and have won two-straight conference openers in 2013 and 2014.
 
Upset City
The Owls defeated then-No. 5/6 Kentucky on Feb. 14 with UK representing the highest ranked opponent KSU has defeated since moving up to the Division I level.
 
Owls as a Team
As a team, the Owls rank in the top three in several categories in the A-Sun, including leading the league in triples (11) and saves (three) and is second in fielding double plays (10) and third in batting average (.295), slugging percentage (.487), RBIs (117), lowest runs allowed (84) and lowest earned runs allowed (60).
 
Chambers Earns First Career A-Sun Player of the Week
Junior Kara Chambers earned her first career A-Sun Player of the Week honor on Monday after leading KSU to a 4-2 record last week, including a 4-1 mark in the Owls Invitational this weekend. She paced the Owl attack with a .412 batting average and seven hits, with four of those hits going for extra bases with a triple, a double and two home runs. She also registered a .941 slugging percentage to go along with seven runs and five RBI, while proving tough to handle on the base paths as she went 4-of-5 in stolen base attempts.
 
Chambers on Fire
Chambers has been on an offensive tear this season and ranks in the top 10 in several statistical categories in the league, including total bases (t-fourth, 51), RBIs (fifth, 23), doubles (fifth, seven), runs scored (sixth, 20), slugging percentage (sixth, .773), stolen bases (sixth, nine), home runs (seventh, fifth) and batting average (10th, .379).
 
Super Senior
Senior Natalie Rhodes leads the league with six triples on the season, while also ranking fourth in hits (28), fifth in runs scored (21), t-seventh in batting average (.412) and eighth in on-base percentage (.474).
 
Going Yard
Nine Owls have gone yard on the season, with Chambers and junior Hillary Kartman leading the way with five home runs. Junior Megan Veringa (four) and redshirt-sophomore Courtney Sutter (two) have also posted multiple homers on the season.
 
Sikes in the Circle
Junior Morgan Sikes has only allowed six walks on the season to lead the A-Sun in that category, while also ranking in a tie for second with only 17 earned runs allowed on the year. She also ranks second with 17 appearances on the season, fourth with 17 strikeouts looking, sixth with a 2.32 ERA and eighth with a .259 opposing batting average. 
 
Strikeout Leader
Senior Paige Mathews ranks sixth in the A-Sun with 47 strikeouts on the season, while also ranking third with 16 appearances on the season.
 
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.