KENNESAW STATE 7, ETSU 5
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KENNESAW STATE 7, MICHIGAN STATE 3
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Junior Noelle Winkles went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, a home run and four RBIs to lead Kennesaw State to a pair of victories during the second day of the Owl Challenge Saturday at Bailey Park.
 
Winkles homered and drove in three runs during a 7-5 victory over East Tennessee State before collecting three hits, scoring a run and driving in a run as the Owls (19-5) defeated Michigan State, 7-5, to extend their winning streak to a NCAA Division I program-record nine games.
 
The Owls' left fielder hit a two-run home run in the second inning versus East Tennessee State (8-14) to highlight a three-run frame that put Kennesaw State ahead 3-1. Senior Chandler Griffin highlighted a four-run fifth inning with a two-run double, and freshman Beth McCulley collected two hits.
 
Senior Logan Viers (6-2) earned the victory after allowing eight hits, five runs, walking four and striking out two in a complete-game effort.
 
A four-run third inning was the difference in game two versus Michigan State (15-7) as Kennesaw State sent nine batters to the plate against Spartans starter Kristina Zalewski (1-1).
 
Sophomore Hannah Thomason and freshman Olivia Tamewitz singled with one out before freshman Katey Lynch tripled to left-center field to drive home both runners and give the Owls a 3-1 lead. Winkles drove in Lynch with a single through the right side, and a single by Griffin, and an RBI base hit by McCulley produced another run to make it 5-1.
 
Freshman Alley Cutting (9-2) earned the victory after relieving starter Jenna Kniss in the fourth inning, and pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, two runs and striking out one.
 
The Owls are scheduled to wrap up tournament action Sunday against Tennessee Tech at 12:30 p.m. and East Tennessee State at 3 p.m., weather permitting.
 
NOTES

• With a pair of victories on Saturday, Kennesaw State extended its winning streak to nine games, marking its longest since transitioning to Division I in 2006. The Owls produced an eight-game winning streak in 2007.  
• After improving to 19-5 on the season, the Owls are off to their best 24-game start since the 2013 team began the year 20-4. With a win over Tennessee Tech on Sunday, KSU can equal its best 25-game start since 2013. It would also tie the best beginning to a season in the Division I era.
• Freshman Olivia Tamewitz had a hit in both games on Saturday to extend her hitting streak to a team-leading 11 games, and tie Courtney Sutter for the longest this season. Senior Taylor Denton also hit safely in each game to extend her streak to nine.
• Senior Courtney Sutter has reach base in a team-leading 15 consecutive games.
• Sophomore Hannah Thomason made the catch of the year for the Owls thus far this season when she robbed Michigan State's Lexi White of a potential two-run home run in the second inning when she reached high over the center field fence to make the grab as the ball popped in and out of her glove before securing it for the out.

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