Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Logan Viers and Morgan Sikes combined on a four-hit shutout to lead Kennesaw State to a 4-0 victory over Jacksonville on Thursday to advance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament that is being held on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University.
 
The Owls (29-27) return to action on Friday when they take on Stetson in a second elimination game. The contest can be viewed live on ESPN3.
 
"This was a great win. I'm really proud of these kids for grinding out a hard-fought victory." head coach Tory Acheson said. "Logan and Morgan pitched great under very tough conditions. Hillary's (Kartman) diving catch was a huge momentum changer."
 
Kartman's catch came in the top of third with two outs and two on, and Kennesaw State leading 4-0. She came in a sinking line drive and dove head first to make the play.
 
The Owls' senior also contributed at the plate, sparking a two-run rally with a leadoff double to open the bottom of the second inning. Noelle Winkles followed with an RBI double one out later and scored on a run-scoring single by Taylor Denton.
 
Kennesaw State's bats came alive early as the Owls scored two runs in the first inning against Jacksonville starter Victoria Brown (18-18). Kara Chambers opened the frame with a walk and scored on a two-out double to right-centerfield by Megan Veringa. Rachel Dennis followed with a single to left field to drive home Veringa and give the Owls a 2-0 lead.
 
"It was great to score a few runs early and we were able to make them hold up," Acheson said.
 
Viers (14-10) and Sikes, who picked up her sixth save the season, made those early runs hold up as they combined on the Owls second shutout of the tournament.
 
Viers worked the first four innings, allowed three hits, walked three and struck out two. Sikes pitched the final three innings and limited the Dolphins to one hit, walked one and struck out two.
 
"We live to play another day," Acheson said. "Stetson will be a real challenge tomorrow (Friday), for sure. We have developed a really strong but friendly rivalry with them. We are going to keep battling until the last pitch."
 
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.