Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF)
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team opened the home schedule at Bailey Park Friday afternoon, dropping two hard-fought games to the Samford Bulldogs.
KSU pitching stood tall in both contests with
Laura Bishop and
Melanie Bennett each working a complete game and combining for 10 strikeouts between the two games.
Game One vs. Samford (L, 2-1)
Samford struck first in the contest, getting out to a 1-0 lead after its first inning at the plate. The Bulldogs would hold that lead through the first four innings of play.
Samford would strike again in the top of the fifth, extending their lead over the Owls to 2-0.
The Owls would begin the rally attempt in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff double by
Cheyanne Sales, her second double of the season.
Katie Greep would bring her home later in the inning with a RBI single to right field to make the score 2-1 but the rally would come up just short.
Laura Bishop was credited with the loss, her first of the season.
Notes:
>> Katie Greep recorded her first and second hits of the season, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
>> Laura Bishop pitched the first full game of her Owl career, allowing only two runs off four hits.
>> The Owl defense held strong, forcing the Bulldogs to strand eight runners on base.
Game Two vs. Samford (L, 5-0)
A hard-fought game in the early stages, the Owls and Bulldogs were at a stalemate through the first three innings until Samford broke the game open with four runs in the top of the fourth.
The Bulldogs scored another run the following inning to get out to a 5-0 lead.
The Owls would rally in the bottom of the seventh after a leadoff single by Bella Galloway, her third base hit of 2022.
Madison Miller followed that with a single of her own to left center, but the offense was unable to plate any runs.
Samford took the win 5-0 and
Melanie Bennett credited with the loss, her second of the season.
Notes:
>> Kiera Cooper and
Taylor Cates lead the Owls this season with seven hits through the first six games.
>> Cooper also leads the Owls in batting average at .412.
>> Mary Anderson notched her team-high third stolen base of 2022.
>> Kiera Cooper recorded her second stolen base of the season.
>> Melanie Bennett pitched her second complete game of the season in three starts and posted eight strikeouts.
On Deck
The Owls look to even the series vs. Samford on Sunday, Feb. 20 in Birmingham, Ala. for a doubleheader against the Bulldogs.
KSU returns to Bailey Park on Friday, Feb. 25 to begin the I-75 Challenge against East Tennessee State, Georgia State and Penn State. Admission is free and fans can catch the Owls in action on the KSU Owl Network YouTube channel.
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.
