By: Samantha Negron
KENNESAW STATE (9-16, 2-1) vs NORTH ALABAMA (16-6, 5-1)
Date: Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28
Time: Saturday: 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. EST; Sunday: 1 p.m. EST
Location: Bailey Park | Florence, Ala.
LEADING OFF
» The Kennesaw State softball team closes out the month of March traveling to Florence, Ala., for its second ASUN conference series of the season against North Alabama.
»The three-game series against the Lions is slated for Saturday (March 27) with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. EST before ending out the series on Sunday (March 28) at 1 p.m. EST.
» As a team, KSU is ranked first in triples with five and tied for second with 13 home runs in the ASUN Conference.
LAST TIME OUT
» The Kennesaw State softball team dropped its midweek doubleheader against No. 21 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., at the Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Wednesday night.
» Senior
Brea Dickey collected her eight double of the season in game one against UT.
IN THE CIRCLE
» Peyton Elzey (0-5) suffered the loss against No. 21 Tennessee in game one going 2.0 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
»
Melanie Bennett (8-8) was given the loss in game two tossing 6.0 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits, while striking out four.
» Bennett is ranked tied for first with eight wins, one save and in second with 80 strikeouts.
IN THE BATTERS BOX
» Dickey leads the Owls in hitting with a .338 average, scoring 14 runs on 25 hits, eight doubles, three triples, one home run, and nine RBIs.
»
Lexi Solorzano follows close behind with a .306 average, seven runs on 14 hits, two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBIs.
» Junior
Taylor Cates is ranked second in the conference with seven home runs.
NORTH ALABAMA SCOUTING REPORT
»The Lions are 16-6 over all and 5-1 in conference play.
» Harley Stokes leads the charge for UNA scoring 16 runs on 14 hits, logging six home runs, two doubles and 17 RBIs.
» Megan Garst leads the Lions pitching staff with a 7-4 record, a 1.55 ERA, giving up 20 runs on 46 hits while striking out 75.
SERIES VERSUS NORTH ALABAMA
»This weekends series between KSU and UNA marks the fifth meeting between the two programs.
» The Lions lead the series 3-1.
» UNA defeated KSU 8-5 at a neutral site in Fort Myers, Fla., in 2019.
ASUN PRESEASON POLL
»The Owls were voted second overall in the ASUN preseason poll by the conference's coaches, receiving 67 total points.
| 2021 ASUN Spring Softball Preseason Coaches Poll |
| Pl. |
Team |
1st Place Votes |
Points |
2020 Record |
| 1. |
Liberty |
5 |
73 |
10-13 |
| 2. |
Kennesaw State |
1 |
67 |
21-4 |
| 3. |
FGCU |
2 |
62 |
19-8 |
| 4. |
Lipscomb |
1 |
53 |
12-10 |
| 5. |
North Alabama |
|
50 |
16-7 |
| 6. |
North Florida |
|
41 |
12-6 |
| 7. |
Jacksonville |
|
28 |
15-11 |
| 8. |
Stetson |
|
17 |
12-15 |
| 9. |
Bellarmine |
|
14 |
5-4 |
NEXT UP
The Owls open the month of April with a conference game in Lynchburg, VA., with a three-game series against Liberty beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 2 at 3 p.m.
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.
