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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A season of firsts came to a disappointing conclusion on Saturday as Kennesaw State fell 5-3 in 10 innings to Jacksonville State in an elimination game of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship's Tallahassee Regional at JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex.
 
The Gamecocks (34-24) scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning that broke a 3-3 tie and provided the margin of victory to advance Jacksonville State to a second elimination game Saturday evening versus Auburn. The Owls conclude their season 39-17.
 
"To say I am proud of this year's team would be a complete understatement," head coach Pete D'Amour said. "They are tough competitive kids who came together to do something that had never been done before. I am honored to coach all of them."
 
A 3-2 Kennesaw State lead heading into the seventh inning was erased when Jacksonville State's Caiitlyn Sapp opened the inning with a home run over the left field fence to tie the score, 3-3.
 
The Owls threatened in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings, getting the potential winning run to third base but were unable to plate a run.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, with Awald on first base and two outs, Noelle Winkles doubled to deep right field for what appeared to be a game-winning hit. However, the ball bounced over the fence for a ground rule double, forcing Awald to stay at third base.
 
Later inning the inning with the bases loaded, Lauren Bennett laid down what appeared to be a perfect bunt for a base hit that would have scored the winning run. However, the ball hit Bennett outside the batter's box and she was called out to end the inning.
 
In the ninth inning, the Owls put two runners in scoring position, but Jacksonville State starter Faith Sims worked out of trouble to extend the game and provide the Gamecocks with an opportunity in the 10th.
 
Alley Cutting (17-10), who relieved starter Abigail Green in the seventh inning, retired nine straight batters before allowing a leadoff bunt single to open the 10th. Following a pair of fielder's choices, the Gamecocks took a 3-2 lead on an infield single and added an insurance run on a two-out base hit.
 
After falling behind 2-0, the Owls tied the score in the bottom of the fourth as Winkles plated a run with an infield groundout and Joirea Dumas drove a single into right field to score Patricia Awald with the tying run.
 
Kennesaw State took the lead in the bottom of fifth after Olivia Tamewitz was hit by a pitch to open the inning, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kira Czyrklis and scored on a wild 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. You can also follow head coach Pete D'Amour at @KSUSBCoach.

To learn more about The Owls Fund visit www.ksuowls.com/theowlsfund.