Box Score (PDF) |
Box Score (XML)
STATESBORO, Ga. – Kennesaw State fell victim to the home run as Georgia Southern hit three homers in a 6-4 victory over the Owls Wednesday at Eagles Field in Statesboro.
The Eagles (24-17) relied on home runs in the second, third and fifth innings to overcome an early 2-0 deficit.
"We did some very positive things tonight even though we ended up on the short end of the score," head coach
Tory Acheson said. "We executed a couple situations to get runners over and get them in, which was great to see."
After Kennesaw State struck first on a two-out, two-run single by
Missy Perkowski in the second inning, Georgia Southern responded with three in the bottom half of the frame. Michelle Mazor's two-run home run to left-centerfield was the big blow in the inning as it gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
The Eagles added to their lead in the third inning on a leadoff home run by Lydia Witkowski and RBI single later in the inning that gave them a 5-3 advantage.
Kennesaw State (22-17) closed the deficit to a run, scoring two unearned runs in the fifth inning after
Taylor Denton opened the frame with a leadoff single and scored from first base on error on a ball hit by
Courtney Sutter that was not handled by Georgia Southern shortstop and all the way to wall in left-centerfield. Sutter eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by
Megan Veringa.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on a one-out home run by AJ Hamilton.
The Owls were limited to four hits by Georgia Southern starter Dixie Raley (17-8), who walked six and struck out five. Joining Perkowski and Denton with base hits were
Chandler Griffin and
Lauren Bennett.
Rachel Dennis reached base three times via walks and scored a run.
"We needed to get back on the field after the break and I'm sure the kids are ready for the trip to Gulf Coast," Acheson said. "This is another crucial weekend and I'm excited to see our kids respond to the challenge."
Kennesaw State returns to action on Saturday when it opens a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series against Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. before closing out the series with a single game on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
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. - #GoKSUOwls -
