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AUBURN, Ala. – Kira Czyrklis collected two hits and drove in three runs, but it was not enough to overcome No. 7 Auburn as the Kennesaw State softball team fell 7-3 to the Tigers Wednesday at Jane B. Moore Field.
 
Auburn (37-7) broke open a one-run game with a three-run sixth inning to extend a 4-3 lead. The Owls (31-14) got a leadoff double from Taylor Denton to open the seventh, but were unable to mount a rally.
 
Kennesaw State totaled nine hits on the evening, including two each from Czyrklis, Denton, Hannah Thomason and Noelle Winkles.
 
After Auburn took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, the Owls answered with two in the top of fourth on a two-run single by Czyrklis. The Tigers responded in the bottom half of the frame, taking a 4-2 lead on a two-run home run by Courtney Shea.
 
Kennesaw State rallied for a run in the sixth after Katie Cannington walked to open the inning, Winkles doubled and Czyrklis followed with an infield single to score Cannington that made it a 4-3 game.
 
However, the Tigers batted around in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring three runs on five hits.
 
Freshman Alley Cutting (15-8) started for Kennesaw State and pitched five innings, allowed 10 hits, seven runs, walked one and struck out four.
 
NEXT UP
The Owls will return to Bailey Park for their final ASUN Conference home series when they host Florida Gulf Coast in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. The series concludes with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday. Saturday will mark a busy day for the Kennesaw State softball program as it will recognize its seniors prior to game one, and will induct two individuals into its Circle of Honor between games.
 
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.