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STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Kennesaw State softball team had its five-game winning streak snapped in a 4-2 setback to Southeastern Conference (SEC) foe Mississippi State on a rainy Wednesday (March 4) afternoon at the MSU Softball Field.
 
"I am proud to see this team fight all the way to the end of the game," said interim head coach Tory Acheson. "This is a rough road trip and the kids overcame a long bus ride and Mother Nature to play a strong game against an SEC team on their home field. I think it says a lot about how far this team has come that we are disappointed to not come away with this win. Our challenge now is to keep applying these lessons learned as we move deeper into the season."
 
The Owls (10-5) drew first blood in the midweek clash as sophomore Lauren Bennett registered a two-out RBI single down the right field line in the second to score freshman Noelle Winkles for a 1-0 lead after the freshman posted a double through the right side earlier in the frame.
 
MSU (17-3) rallied to take a 2-1 edge in the bottom of the second on four hits in the inning, including a two-run single to right field.
 
Junior Kara Chambers and sophomore Taylor Denton teamed up in the top of the fifth for the tying run as Chambers drilled a single up the middle that the Bulldog centerfielder mishandled to allow Denton to score from second base. 
 
A Caroline Seitz sacrifice fly in the fifth then brought the go-ahead score across the plate for the home team.
 
Heading in to the sixth with MSU leading 3-2, the rain finally visited the field as the game entered a 40-minute rain delay. Out of the delay, the Bulldogs added an insurance run on a fielding error to escape with the 4-2 win.
 
The Owls collected six hits and an error in the game, while the Bulldogs totaled 11 hits and a miscue. Bennett led KSU with a 2-of-3 effort plus an RBI, with Denton and Winkles each contributing a hit and a run on the day.
 
Junior Paige Mathews (3-2) took the loss after giving up two runs, with only one earned, and five hits in two and a third innings in relief of junior starter Morgan Sikes. Sikes threw three innings, allowing two runs and six hits while striking out two.
 
Alexis Silkwood (12-2) earned the win after allowing just two runs and six hits in a complete game performance for the Bulldogs, who got a hit and three RBI from Amanda Ivy.
 
The Owls had planned to participate in the Holiday Inn Invitational on March 7-8 in Johnson City, Tenn., but have withdrawn due to impending weather and will now host the Owl Invitational on March 6-8 at Bailey Park. The Owls will welcome in Big 10 foe Indiana, as well as St. Louis, Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois in the three-day tournament.
 
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.