GAME ONE BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | GAME TWO BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – With a doubleheader sweep of Troy on Tuesday (March 24), the Kennesaw State softball team earned its third-straight series victory as the Owls posted wins of 4-0 and 3-1 over the Trojans at Bailey Park.
 
It is the sixth win in the last seven games for the Owls (21-10), who are 10 games over .500 for the first time since the 2013 season.
 
"It was a great day today for our program," said interim head coach Tory Acheson. "The kids played really well in all phases and we were really proud of the effort they put in. We are definitely in that midseason grind right now and for them to come out with that kind of focus and to play that well was very impressive. Obviously our pitchers did a great job and we had timely, big hits that gave us enough offense to take care of business. Troy came in here as a very hot team, so this makes a stretch now of seven really good games we have played against really good competition and that is very exciting to see."
 
"We are looking forward to the rest of the week and we encourage everyone to come out this weekend as we have Jacksonville coming in and that is a huge Atlantic Sun Conference series for us."
 
Junior Megan Veringa led the Owl attack and owned a .800 batting average with four hits and three RBI on the day, while the KSU pitching staff combined to hold the Trojans (18-16) to just one run on seven hits.
 
KSU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the day's first game as Veringa singled down the right field line to score sophomore Taylor Denton from second base. The Owls then added a trio of insurance runs in the fifth with senior Natalie Rhodes and Denton registering back-to-back RBI hits as Rhodes doubled in freshman Noelle Winkles. Denton then brought home Rhodes and junior Rachel Dennis on a single to centerfield.
 
Sophomore starting pitcher Logan Viers (3-2) went the entire way to earn the shutout win, allowing just five hits and striking out five in the outing.
 
KSU recorded nine hits and an error in the win, while Troy tallied five hits. Denton, Rhodes and Veringa each tallied a pair of hits.
 
Jaycee Affeldt (9-5) took the loss after giving up four earned runs on nine hits in six innings of work.
 
The Owls again struck early in game two as Veringa delivered a two-run home run, her fifth of the season, to give the home team a 2-0 advantage in the opening frame.
 
Junior Emily Bishop pushed the score to 3-0 with her second homer of the season to left field in the fourth. It was all senior starter Paige Mathews needed as she did not allow a hit until a one-out solo shot in the top of the seventh inning.
 
Junior Morgan Sikes then entered the game and earned her first save of the season with two-straight outs. Mathews (8-2) allowed just two hits and one earned run in six and a third innings of action, while giving up only one walk and striking out five in an impressive outing in the circle.
 
KSU totaled four hits, while the Trojans tallied two hits and four errors in the loss.
 
Ashley Rainey (6-3) fell in game two after giving up three runs, one of which was earned on four hits in six innings.
 
The Owls make the short drive down to Atlanta to take on crosstown rival Georgia State on Thursday, March 26. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET at the Robert E. Heck Softball Complex. 
 
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.