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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team opened its 2019 season on Friday and had mixed results as the Tripp MacKay era officially began.
 
After falling 11-5 to Eastern Illinois in the opener, the Owls (1-1) rallied to defeat Morehead State, 6-5, during the opening day of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament at Bailey Park.
 
Seniors Maddie Roth (5-for-8, 3 RBIs) and Kira Czyrklis (4-for-7) led a Kennesaw State offense that collected 20 hits on the day, and freshman Katie Greep had two clutch at-bats late in the Morehead State contest, including the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
Junior Abby Deane (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth inning in the circle to earn the win after tossing a complete game.
 
THE DETAILS
The Owls distributed 11 walks and committed five errors versus Eastern Illinois and the Panthers capitalized, producing a six-run third inning and scoring four times in the fourth to build an 11-3 lead. Senior Jessie Mullen had the first big blow of the season for the Owls as she clubbed a three-run home run in the third inning. Roth connected for an opposite-field solo shot in the fifth. Mullen, Roth and Czyrklis had two hits apiece.
 
Roth led a 12-hit attack against Morehead State as she went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Czyrklis and sophomore Sarah Womack had two hits apiece. Trailing 5-4 with two outs in the fourth inning, Greep had a nine-pitch at-bat before coaxing a bases-loaded walk that forced in the tying run.
 
Greep came up again in the bottom of the sixth inning and drilled a one-out single up the middle that scored freshman Taylor Cates from third base with the eventual winning run. Cates was pinch running for Womack, who opened the frame with a double off the fence in left-center field.
 
NEXT UP
The Owls continue play in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament on Saturday when they host Ohio at 5:30 p.m. before facing Eastern Illinois at 8 p.m. Admission to all games at Bailey Park is free.
 
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.