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KENNESAW, Ga. – A four-run third inning combined with the pitching efforts of Logan Viers, Morgan Sikes and Monica Vickery led Kennesaw State to a 4-2 victory over visiting East Tennessee State during Sunday's final game of the KSU Kickoff Classic at Bailey Park.
 
Senior Megan Veringa had a run-scoring single and sophomore Lauren Bennett produced a two-run single to highlight the four-run third inning, and Vickery recorded the final out of the game with the tying runs on base to preserve the victory as the Owls improved to 3-0.
 
"I thought it was a good hard-fought win and I thought we did some really positive things, but we made some mistakes. It's that time of the year. We know we're going to make some mistakes but as long as we keep learning from them, it ends up being positive," head coach Tory Acheson said. "I'm very pleased to be sitting here 3-0 and to have had a couple pretty good tests in a couple of games that will give us a chance to learn some things."
 
The formula that Acheson hopes will lead to success this season played out for the third straight game as Viers gave the Owls three solid innings in the circle to open the game, allowing just one run before giving way to Sikes (1-0), who held the Buccaneers (0-2) scoreless for three innings before allowing a one-out solo home run and a pair of two-out singles.
 
Vickery entered the game and induced a short fly ball to left field to earn her first save of the season.
 
"I really feel good about the pitching. Our pitchers have done a great job all three games," Acheson said. "The staff approach we're going to be using all year, this is just a perfect example. All those kids are coming in in different spots and really making a difference."
 
In her three innings of work, Viers allowed four hits, a run, walked one and struck out three. Sikes, allowed three hits, a run and struck out two in 3 2/3 innings.
 
Veringa and senior third baseman Missy Perkowski led the offense with two hits apiece, while Courtney Sutter reached base three times with a hit and two walks, and Hillary Kartman collected a hit, two walks and scored a run.
 
Kennesaw State continues its stretch of tournament play on Friday (Feb. 19) when it hosts the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament at Bailey Park. The field includes Bowling Green, Bradley, Morehead State and Rutgers.
 
NOTES
* The Owls are 3-0 for the first time since 2013 when they began the season 7-0 en route to a 34-20 season.
* Senior right fielder Hillary Kartman led Kennesaw State offensively over the weekend, going 5-for-9 (.556) with two runs scored and a pair of doubles.
* Kartman and Courtney Sutter hit safely in all three games, with Sutter posting a .400 average (4-for-10) while hitting a triple and home run.
* Senior Megan Veringa produced a pair of two-hit games, batting .400 (4-for-10) with two runs scored, four RBIs and a home run.
* Morgan Sikes pitched 8 2/3 innings over the weekend and was 1-0 with a 0.81 ERA. She allowed seven hits, one run, walked 1 and struck out five.
* In three starts, Logan Viers produced a 1-0 record and 1.56 ERA. She pitched nine innings and scattered 10 hits, allowed two runs, walked one and struck out 10. 

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