Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 1 Box Score (XML) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (XML)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Clutch hitting, solid pitching and spectacular defense led Kennesaw State to an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader sweep of visiting Stetson Friday afternoon at Bailey Park. The Owls (20-10, 4-1) posted a 4-1 win in the opener before recording an 8-0, six-inning victory in the nightcap.
 
Kennesaw State collected 18 hits, 17 of which were singles, and were 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts, while the pitching trio of Logan Viers, Morgan Sikes and Monica Vickery limited Stetson (23-16, 2-3) to eight hits and an unearned run in the two games.
 
The pitching was backed up by exceptional defense as Rachel Dennis and Taylor Denton made highlight-reel diving catches in the outfield and the infield made several nice plays to thwart the few scoring opportunities the Hatters had.
 
"Today a lot of things really fell into place. Our pitchers did what they do. They keep us in games and allow our defense to make plays. Our defense really stepped up. We had three or four really high-level plays in the outfield," head coach Tory Acheson said. "What we really did well was when they started to put pressure on, we were able to get out of jams. Some of that is pitching, some of that is defense and some of that is just good fortune."
 
In the opener, Kennesaw State jumped out to a quick lead scoring four runs in the first inning on four hits as Missy Perkowski drove in the first run of the game with a single and Jenna Kniss followed with a two-run single up the middle. Rachel Dennis capped the scoring with a base hit that gave the Owls a 4-0 lead against Stetson starter Tori Perkins (7-3).
 
That was plenty of run support for the pitching as Viers (9-3) allowed four hits, an unearned run and struck out two in four-plus innings before Sikes came on in relief and pitched three scoreless innings of two-hit ball to earn her fourth save.
 
Denton and Dennis led the offense with two hits apiece.
 
A five-run third inning highlighted the second game as Kennesaw State sent nine batters to the plate as the Owls collected four hits and took advantage of two Stetson errors. Courtney Sutter and had a two-run single and Megan Veringa doubled home two runs.
 
Kennesaw State added a run in the fourth and scored twice in the sixth, with Kira Czyrklis ending the game with an infield hit that drove in the Owls' eighth run of the game.
 
Vickery (3-3) earned the win after allowing one hit and striking out three in four innings. Sikes worked the final two innings and allowed one hit.
 
The top of the lineup was once again productive for the Owls as Chambers (4-for-7) and Denton (3-for-6) combined to go 7-for-13 with five runs scored and were 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts.
 
"We're really proud of the kids. They came today with a really good mindset and they played very well," Acheson said. "Now we have to come back tomorrow (Saturday) and bring the same intensity and effort level because Stetson is going to be ready to play with everything that they have."
 
Kennesaw State and Stetson will conclude the three-game series Saturday with first pitch at Bailey Park scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com.
 
NOTES
* The four runs scored in the first inning by the Owls improved their record to 10-0 when scoring in the opening frame. KSU also upped its mark to 16-3 when scoring first.
* The doubleheader sweep extended the Owls winning streak to five games.
* Junior Taylor Denton extended her hitting streak to a team-high seven games, while Chambers has hit safely in five games.
* Denton and Chambers also continued their ascent up the Kennesaw State all-time career stolen base list. With three steals in the two games, Chambers moved into second place with 51 stolen bases, while Denton is in third place with 50. Jennifer Hunt (2003-06) is KSU's all-time stole bases leader with 60.
* Senior Megan Veringa had two RBIs on the day and is three away from 100 for her career.

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