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KENNESAW, Ga. – Freshman Alley Cutting pitched a complete game and was backed by a 10-hit attack as the Kennesaw State softball team posted an 8-1 victory over USC Upstate to capture the three-game  ASUN Conference series Sunday at Bailey Park.
 
Courtney Sutter, Kira Czyrklis and Chandler Griffin collected two hits apiece as the Owls improved to 27-10 overall and claimed sole possession of first place in the ASUN Conference with a 4-2 mark.
 
"A couple of things stood out for us this weekend. We played catch and threw strikes," head coach Pete D'Amour said. "Our offense limited strikeouts all three games and we put the ball in play against a really good pitching staff. It also was encouraging to see our players make plays under pressure.
 
"USC Upstate is a really good program and this was a good test for us," D'Amour added.
 
Kennesaw State got its offense going early, scoring two runs in the first, capitalizing on two hits and an effective ground attack. Noelle Winkles and Czyrklis recorded RBIs on a fielder's choice and infield out, respectively, to cash in singles by Taylor Denton and Sutter and a hit batsman."
 
The Owls added single runs the third and fourth innings to extend their lead to 4-0. Griffin produced an RBI single in the third and Katey Lynch drove home a run in the fourth with a single through the right side to score Hannah Thomason, who doubled with one out.
 
Kennesaw State broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning as Olivia Tamewitz' two-out, two-run double to the center field fence was the big blow.
 
That provided more than enough offense for Cutting (14-5), who scattered nine hits, allowed one run and struck out seven.
 
The weekend series matched the Owls against the ASUN Conference's top pitching staff, and Kennesaw State responded by collecting 28 hits and scoring 15 runs over the three games. Meanwhile, Cutting and Logan Viers combined to pitch 25 innings and allowed just three earned runs.
 
ON DECK
Kennesaw State will host Georgia Tech in the 10th Annual Lexi's Day game on Wednesday, April 5. First pitch is 6 p.m. (ET). For more information, and to contribute, click here.
 
 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.