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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The first career home run by freshman Jenna Kniss was all the offense Kennesaw State was able to produce against Jacksonville State as the Gamecocks scored two late runs to defeat the Owls, 3-1, Tuesday at University Field in Jacksonville, Ala.
 
Kniss, who also made her first career start in the circle, homered in the top of third to give the Owls (12-5) and early 1-0 lead. The Gamecocks (9-10) answered with a two-out run in the bottom half of the third against Morgan Sikes (5-1).
 
The score remained 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Ella Denes produced a one-out, two-run double against Monica Vickery.
 
Kennesaw State did generate scoring opportunities against Casey Akenberger (4-2) as it put runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings but was unable to produce the big hit.
 
The Owls, who collected eight hits in the game, moved runners to third base in each of those innings, including a second and third situation in the sixth, but Akenberger was able to escape the jams unscathed.
 
Taylor Denton, Hillary Kartman and Kara Chambers each collected two hits apiece to lead the Kennesaw State offense. With a third-inning single, Denton extended her team-leading hitting streak to four games.
 
The Owlls will have a day off before returning to action when they host Boston College at Bailey Park on Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. (ET). Kennesaw State will enter Thursday's game against the Eagles with a 10-1 home mark and has won four in a row at Bailey Park.

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