GAME ONE BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | GAME TWO BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
DELAND, Fla. – The Kennesaw State softball team used a complete team effort to earn its third-straight Atlantic Sun Conference series win as the Owls swept Stetson in its doubleheader on a hot and sunny Friday (April 3) afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field. KSU posted a 2-1 win in game one, before taking a 5-3 eighth-inning victory in game two.
 
"This was a real test," said interim head coach Tory Acheson. "To overcome the challenges that the injuries caused is just one more sign of how tough these kids are. We are all praying for Morgan, but we know she will bounce back from this setback. Our team showed real heart to get two wins today. This is a special team with unbelievable character. I love this team!"
 
With the sweep, KSU improves to 25-13 on the season and 6-5 in the A-Sun, while the Hatters fall to 22-9 and 5-3 in conference play.
 
The Owls jumped out to a 1-0 lead in game one as senior Natalie Rhodes led off the day with a bunt single to third bases, before being plated on an RBI single to centerfield from redshirt-sophomore Courtney Sutter.
 
A two-out double to centerfield from junior Hillary Kartman then set the stage for the eventual game winner as junior Kara Chambers brought her home on an RBI single up the middle.
 
The Hatters closed within 2-1 with RBI single to centerfield in the bottom of the sixth, but junior Morgan Sikes entered for sophomore starter Logan Viers and secured the victory and her second save of the season.
 
Viers (5-3) did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and gave up just one earned run on two hits, while striking out four in five innings. Sikes held the Hatters to just one hit in two innings of relief work.
 
The Owls totaled seven hits and one error in the game one win, while the Hatters posted just three hits and committed three errors.
 
Courtney Brandt (8-5) gave up two earned runs on seven hits in a complete game effort for the Hatters.
 
Back-to-back hits, including an RBI single up the middle gave the home team a quick 1-0 edge in the opening frame of game two, but KSU responded to take a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the third. A leadoff single from junior Rachel Dennis started off the rally as the Owls scored on a Sutter RBI single up the middle, followed by a sacrifice fly from junior Megan Veringa.
 
Sophomore Noelle Winkles pushed the Owl lead back to two runs with her second career home run and the first long ball out of the park in the top of the seventh for a 3-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the frame.
 
The Hatters then answered two runs to even up the score at 3-3, with the game-tying run coming on a hard-hit ball that struck Sikes in the face, allowing the run to score. The Douglasville, Ga., native would leave the game on under her own power as starting senior pitcher Paige Mathews re-entered and finished the inning.
 
KSU rallied behind its wounded warrior in the top of the eighth as Veringa opened the frame with a single to left field. Back-to-back RBI hits from Chambers and junior Missy Perkowksi then gave the lead back to KSU at 5-3.
 
After a one-out walk, the Owls defense closed out the win with their league-leading 19th double play of the season on a ground ball to second base.
 
Mathews (10-4) allowed just two earned runs on eight hits and striking out four in seven and a third innings of work. Sikes saw two-thirds of an inning worth of action, giving up just one earned run on three hits.
 
KSU registered 12 hits on the day, with Denton, Veringa and Chambers each recorded two hits in the win.
 
Stetson posted 11 hits in the loss, with Chelsea Hostetler (14-4) giving up five earned runs on 12 hits in eight innings in the circle.
 
The Owls will wrap the three-game series with the Hatters tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 with the series finale at 1 p.m. ET at Patricia Wilson Field.
 
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.