Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF)
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team clinched a doubleheader sweep over No. 3 North seed North Alabama at Bailey Park Friday evening to advance to next week's ASUN Semifinals.
Game 1: Kennesaw State 2, North Alabama 1
After nothing doing from either side through the first frame, KSU would take the lead in the bottom of the second inning after
Katie Greep smacked a leadoff double to center field.
Raleigh Williams then brought her home on the following at-bat with an RBI single.
In the top of the third inning, the Lions would get a runner on after an Owls error but the KSU defense held strong not giving up any runs.
A lead off homer from
Brea Dickey in the bottom of the third inning would extend the Owls' lead to 2-0.
The Lions made it interesting late, loading the bases after back-to-back singles and an error, bringing a runner home after RBI walk. But the Owls worked their way out of the inning as
Taylor Cates tracked down a fly foul ball for the final out to maintain a 2-1 lead.
Melanie Bennett shut the door on the Lions in the seventh with three straight strikeouts to secure the victory.
Bennett (17-10) tossed a complete game, giving up one run on three hits, while striking out 10.
Megan Garst (9-10) suffered the loss after 4.0 innings of work, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out one.
Game 2: Kennesaw State 9, North Alabama 1
The Owls started off game two quick as
Taylor Cates blasted a two-run bomb over the center field fence.
After loading the bases in the second inning, UNA scored one run off a wild pitch.
Lindsey Kyte limited the damage collecting her second strikeout of the day to close out the frame.
KSU extended its lead in the bottom of the third inning after an RBI double down the left field line from
Cheyanne Sales scored
Lexi Solorzano before an RBI sacrifice fly from
Raleigh Williams brought home Sales to make it 4-1.
The Owls added four more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning after an RBI single from
Brea Dickey and a three-run home run over the left field wall from Sales.
Kiera Cooper sealed the deal with a walk-off RBI triple for a 9-1 decision in six innings over the Lions.
Kyte (5-5) collected the win after 5.0 innings of work, giving up one run on one hit while striking out four.
Sidney Revels (4-6) suffered the loss after 2.1 innings of work, giving up four runs on four hits while striking out one.
Notable Stats
- Brea Dickey was 4-for-5 at the plate today, logging three runs, a double, a home run and two RBIs.
- The Owls recorded 16 hits and 11 RBIs over both games.
- Lexi Solorzano was 2-2 in stolen bases, recording 16 putouts and finishing with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
- Dickey, Katie Greep and Faith Alexander each recorded a stolen base as the Owls finished 5-for-5 on the day.
- Taylor Cates hit her team leading 13th home run of the season.
- Melanie Bennett recorded her third game of the season with double digit strikeouts.
- Cheyanne Sales recorded a season high four RBIs in game two, collecting her fourth home run of the season.
Next up
The Owls will now wait to see how the rest of this weekend's quarterfinal games in the ASUN finish to determine who they will play in next week's semifinals at Bailey Park on Thursday, May 13.
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.
