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KENNESAW, Ga, - The Kennesaw State softball team opened its 2016 season in successful fashion on Friday (Feb. 12), finding two distinct ways to post a pair of wins during the first day of the KSU Kickoff Classic at Bailey Park.
 
Behind the combined pitching efforts of Logan Viers, Morgan Sikes and Monica Vickery, and a three-run home run from Megan Veringa, the Owls recorded a 7-0 victory over Murray State. Kennesaw State saved the dramatics for game two as it rallied from a 2-1 deficit to register a 3-2 victory over North Carolina Central.
 
After Taylor Denton scored the tying run in the sixth inning, the Owls (2-0) won the game in the bottom of the seventh when Courtney Sutter led off the frame with a triple high off the right-centerfield wall and scored the decisive run on a wild relay throw to third base.
 
"We always go into the early part of the season with a plan of trying to use these games as a stepping stone for the rest of the year," head coach Tory Acheson said. "I think the thing that was really fun today is we had a lot of different people take advantage of opportunities and do some things to help us have a good day. I think that is going to be the calling card of this team, it's going to be a team effort every single day.
 
"Our pitching staff did a great job for this first day. They really worked hard and all four of them contributed, and I think that is going to be a cornerstone for us," Acheson said. "And offensively, game one, we came up with some really clutch hits. In game 2, we had some clutch hits but we did not perform quite as well as we would like to, but it's a learning process right now."
 
In the opener, Viers, Morgan and Vickery combined on the six-hit shutout, while Veringa went 2-for-4 with the three-run homer and Hillary Kartman collected three hits to lead the Owls' 10-hit attack.
 
Against North Carolina Central, Kennesaw State fielded a starting lineup that included freshmen Hannah Thomason and Anastasia Villanueva, and sophomore transfer Katie Cannigton, who were all making their Owls' debut.
 
The Owls are scheduled to return to action on Saturday (Feb. 13) when they host Loyola (2-0) at 3 p.m. However, severe cold weather may force the cancellation. Stay tuned to KSUOwls.com for up-to-date information.
 
NOTES
* With its win over Murray State, Kennesaw State improved 11-0 in season openers since moving to the NCAA Division I level in 2006.
* Senior Megan Veringa's home run was the 15th of her career and moved her within four of tying for ninth place the Owls' all-time list.
* Junior Courtney Sutter is also moving up the program's all-time home run list, and after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against North Carolina Central, the Owls' catcher increased her total to 14 and is moving closer to the Top 10.
* Hannah Thomason, who started as the designated player against North Carolina Central, worked a pair of walks and recorded her first career stolen base.
* In addition to collecting two hits against North Carolina Central, sophomore newcomer Katie Cannington had two stolen bases.
* Freshman pitcher Jenna Kniss made her collegiate debut against North Carolina Central and struck out two while pitching an inning of relief.
* Junior Logan Viers started both games for the Owls and earned a win against Murray State after allowing three hits and striking three in three innings. She also worked three innings against North Carolina Central and allowed three hits, a run, and struck out four.
* Senior Monica Vickery pitched a perfect seventh inning against North Carolina Central to earn the win in relief.   

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