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

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Senior Megan Veringa delivered a clutch two-out hit in the seventh inning to lead Kennesaw State to a 4-3 victory over Florida Gulf Coast in game two that helped the Owls gain a split in Saturday's Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader in Fort Myers.
 
After Florida Gulf Coast (22-21, 6-5) rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score at 3-3, junior Taylor Denton, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, started the Owls (23-18, 6-5) winning rally with a bunt single, stole second and scored two outs later on Veringa's double to right-centerfield.
 
The win proved pivotal for Kennesaw State, which entered the day in a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings and came on the heels of a 4-0 setback in game one. The Owls remain tied atop the standings with the Eagles and USC Upstate heading into Sunday's series finale.
 
"This was a hard-fought split. I'm proud of the kids for grinding out a tough win to salvage the day," head coach Tory Acheson said. "Megan came up with a huge two-out double and TD (Taylor Denton) and Courtney (Sutter) had good games at the plate, and we made a couple big plays on defense."
  
After being held to two hits in the opener, the Owls bats came alive in the nightcap as Denton and Sutter led the 10-hit attack with three hits apiece. Veringa added two hits in the victory.
 
Morgan Sikes (10-4) earned the win after entering the game with the bases loaded and not outs in the sixth, and after allowing a single that tied the game, prevented further damage in the inning and worked around a walk and error in the seventh to help preserve the victory.
 
In game one, the Owls bats were held in check as Riley Randolph (11-4) limited KSU to two hits in pitching a complete game.
 
The Eagles jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against Logan Viers (10-4) in the first inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly and one out single. FGCU plated a pair of insurance runs in the sixth, taking advantage of four hits and a walk.
 
"Sunday will be a battle for sure," Acheson said. "I'm excited to see our kids face the challenge."
 
Kennesaw State and Florida Gulf Coast conclude the series on Sunday with a 1 p.m. contest. The game will be available on A-Sun TV and can be followed along via live stats at KSUOwls.com
 
NOTES
• The Owls, who entered the weekend fifth in the country in stolen bases, added to their single-season school record for stolen bases after swiping three bags on the day. Through 41 games, Kennesaw State has totaled 107 stolen bases in 125 attempts. The previous was record was 74 accomplished in 90 attempts in 2015.
 
• Junior Taylor Denton and senior Kara Chambers have led the running game while establishing single-season career-highs. Denton is 26-for-27, while Chambers is 22-for-27. The duo also ranks second and third, respectively, on Kennesaw State's all-time career charts as Denton has 56 career stolen bases and Chambers has 52. Jennifer Hunt (2003-06) is KSU's career leader with 60.
 
• With two runs in the first inning in game one on Saturday, the Owls improved to 12-1 when scoring in the first inning and 18-5 when scoring first.

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