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KENNESAW, Ga. – Another strong outing in the circle by senior Paige Mathews and a three-run home run by junior Megan Veringa ignited the Kennesaw State softball team to an 8-2 victory over Austin Peay during Day 2 of the Owls Invitational at Bailey Park on Saturday (Mar. 6).
 
The win was the second in two days over Austin Peay and improved Kennesaw State to 12-6 on the season.
 
"Overall we're very pleased with the way the kids came out today," interim head coach Tory Acheson said. "We suffered a tough loss last night and did not play our best game and, of course, you never know what to expect coming off a game like that. So for them to come out the way they did, jump on the board and get some runs right away showed a lot of growth and development so I was very proud of them for that.
 
"Paige pitched very well for us today and we got a lot of big hits. Obviously, Megan's home run was a big shot," Acheson added.
 
For the second day in a row Mathews (5-2) held the Governors' (1-12) bats in check as she worked 4.1 innings, allowed four hits an unearned run and struck out three.
 
Sophomore Lauren Bennett sparked the Owls' offense as she singled with one out in the first inning and came around to score on triple to right-center field by Kara Chambers. KSU added a pair of runs in the second on a two-run single by junior Missy Perkowski that upped the lead to 3-0.
 
One inning later, later Veringa launched a deep drive over the right field wall for a three-run home run that increased the Owls' lead to 6-0. Bennett, who opened the frame with a bunt single, and Chambers, who singled down the right field line, scored on Veringa's third homer of the season.
 
Kennesaw State received solid offensive production from the top of its lineup as Natalie Rhodes, Bennett, Chambers and Veringa combined to go 7-for-13 with five runs scored and five RBI. Perkowski, batting in the ninth spot, also had a productive day as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI.
 
Junior Morgan Sikes came out of the bullpen and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two hits, one run and striking out three.
 
Kennesaw State concludes tournament play on Sunday (Mar. 6) when it faces Indiana at noon (ET) and closes out the day against Eastern Illinois beginning at 2 p.m. (ET).
 
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.
 
 
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