Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF)
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 2022 campaign for the Kennesaw State softball team started in thrilling fashion Friday morning in a late-inning win over the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in the JoAnne Graf Classic.
The Owls would come up short in the second game Friday afternoon, falling to the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles 0-4 in a hard-fought contest.

Game One vs. Loyola-Chicago (W, 8-5)

The Owls started 2022 on fire at the plate, recording three runs on three hits and two walks in the first inning, giving 2021 ASUN Freshman of the Year Melanie Bennett a 3-0 lead before her first pitch.

The Ramblers would answer back and cut the KSU lead to one before Taylor Cates hit a two-run home run to make it 5-2 in the top of the fifth.

Once again, Loyola-Chicago would rally and tie the game up 5-5 after the first six innings.

In the top of the seventh, Madison Miller, Taylor Cates and Cheyanne Sales all drew walks to load the bases for Brinaya Bailey.

Bailey then gave the Owls an 8-5 lead with a bases-clearing double to seal the victory for the Owls.

Bailey (2-for-4) and Cates (2-for-3) each had two hits and three RBIs each. Melanie Bennett pitched all seven innings with eight strikeouts and was credited with the win.
 
Notes:
>> Three freshmen (Madison Miller, Ty Hardeman and Isabella Galloway) started for the Owls, the most freshmen in a season-opening starting lineup for KSU since 2012.
>> Cheyanne Sales now has a hit in four straight games dating back to last season.
>> Mary Greg Anderson recorded her first hit as an Owl after transferring in from Alabama.
>> KSU is now 2-2 in season openers under head coach Tripp MacKay.
 
Game Two vs. No. 4 Florida State (L, 4-0)

The KSU offense struggled early on against the Seminoles, only posting two hits through the first three innings as FSU got out to an early 2-0 lead.

Florida State pitching kept the Owls offense at bay most of the game, retiring Owl batters in order in three different innings.

The Seminoles added to that with back-to-back one-run innings to extend their lead to 4-0.

Cates notched a leadoff double to begin the top of the seventh and Bailey followed that with a single two batters later. The rally was not enough to overcome the Seminoles. Lindsey Kyte was credited with the loss.

Notes:
>> Brinaya Bailey picked up where she left off in the first game, recording two hits on three plate appearances.
>> Junior Kiera Cooper also posted two hits and earned a stolen base late in the fifth inning.
>> Cates opens the 2022 season with an extra-base hit in back-to-back games.
>> Emily Perrin and Laura Bishop recorded their first strikeouts as Owls in the circle.

On Deck
The Owls return to the field on Saturday, Feb. 12 for the team's third and fourth contests of the JoAnne Graf Classic. The first game will be a return match against the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles at 3:00 p.m. Fans can follow the game on the ACC Network Extra stream and the live stats here.

Game two will feature the program's first game against in-state foe Mercer for the first time since 2014. The matchup against the Bears is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch and can follow along with that game through the live stats 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.