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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A pitcher's duel between Kennesaw State's Logan Viers and USC Upstate's Holly McKinnon ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Owls as Kinsley Jennings opened the eighth inning with a home run over the centerfield fence to give the Spartans a 1-0 extra-inning victory at Cyrill Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
 
The loss dropped Kennesaw State to 25-22 overall and 6-9 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, while USC Upstate improved to 37-12 and 9-5 in the conference.
 
McKinnon (23-6) held Kennesaw State hitless in the game and set the stage for Jennings heroics as the Spartans' pinch-hitter hit the first pitch of the eighth inning from Morgan Sikes (11-6) beyond center fielder's Noelle Winkles' reach for the game-winner.
 
"Another very tough loss today," head coach Tory Acheson said. "Our pitchers, Logan and Morgan gave us a great effort, but our offense continues to let us down. Obviously, when you are held hitless for eight innings, you know you are struggling.
 
"Give McKinnon credit, but we saw her enough times that we should have been able to figure her out a little better," Acheson added. "Right now, it isn't a matter effort, but it's about making adjustments and sticking with the plan."
 
McKinnon did not allow a batter to reach base until the sixth inning when Hillary Kartman reached first base on a throwing error USC Upstate third baseman Amy Szymanowski and was thrown out at second base attempting to advance on the play.
 
Prior to that, the biggest challenge for McKinnon, who struck out eight, came in the fifth inning when Missy Perkowski battled during a 15-pitch at-bat before striking out.
 
Viers was stellar in the circle for the Owls as she pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out three.
 
The only threat against Viers came in the fifth inning as the Spartans produced two base runners via an error and infield single. USC Upstate advanced both runners into scoring position before Viers induced a popup to end the threat.
 
"We have three non-conference games before Lipscomb comes to Bailey Park (May 7-8) and we need to find a way to have some success against the better pitchers we are going to face," Acheson said.
 
Kennesaw State is next in action on Tuesday when it hosts Georgia Tech at Bailey Park beginning at 6 p.m. It will also mark the Ninth Annual Lexi's Day game that partners the KSU softball program with the Alexis Kaiser Foundation in an effort to assist local young people who suffer with a neuromuscular disease.
 
Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to support Lexi's Day by making a $10 contribution to the Kaiser Foundation. Cash as well as checks made out to the Alexis Kaiser Foundation will reward those contributing fans with a fine meal from the Marietta Fish Market.
 
Meals (limited to 150) will begin being served at 5 p.m. in the Teasley Suite of the Bobbie Bailey Building and a pregame ceremony recognizing the George family will take place at 5:50 p.m.  Tickets will be available at gates or purchased in advance by coming by the Department of Athletics office located in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
NOTES
• Junior Logan Viers and senior Morgan Sikes have established single-season career-highs for strikeouts. Viers has struck out 93 batters in 125 1/3 innings while Sikes has fanned 57 in 99 2/3 innings.
 
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.