Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF)
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team closed the I-75 Challenge Saturday, dropping a doubleheader to the Penn State Nittany Lions by scores of 5-2 and 10-2.
Taylor Cates remained hot at the plate, earning her fifth multi-hit game of the 2022 campaign.
Sunday's game against East Tennessee State was canceled due to weather.
Game One vs. PSU (L, 5-2)
Cheyanne Sales got after the Penn State pitcher early, sending a two-run blast over the fence to score Faith Alexander and give the Owls an early lead.
The Nittany Lions would answer the very next inning, tying the game at two runs each.
The difference would be a three-run homer from Penn State in the top of the third to make it 5-2. Neither team would cross home the in final four innings of the contest.
Melanie Bennett (2-4) pitched all seven innings and was credited with the loss.
Notes:
>> Sales hit her second homer of the season and is second on the team in that category, behind Cates (6).
>> This game marked Sales' second-straight multi-hit game.
>> Alexander earned her second stolen base of the season in just four starts.
Game Two vs. PSU (L, 10-2 | 5 innings)
Penn State got out to an early 1-0 lead that the Owls quickly answered in the next half inning after Cates singled to score Alexander to even the game at one run apiece.
The Nittany Lions scored nine unanswered runs to get the lead out to 10-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.
Cates proved dominant at the plate again, hitting a solo homer with two outs to cut into the Penn State lead but the rally would come up short. PSU took home the 10-2 victory and pitcher Emily Perrin (1-1) was credited with the loss, her first of the season.
Notes
>> Cates notched her fourth homer in the last four games and leads the team with six on the season.
>> Alexander has a base hit in every game she has appeared in this season, tallying a four-game streak.
>> Junior Pacy Villa started her first game of 2022 and earned her first base hit of the season in her third game played.
>> The Owls finish the I-75 Challenge with a 2-2 record in the tournament. KSU has never finished with a losing record in the I-75 Challenge in five appearances.
On Deck
The beloved tradition Lexi's Day returns to Bailey Park on Wednesday, March 2 against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
Meal tickets can be purchased by the first 150 fans for $10 each here. The food will be courtesy of a generous donation by new Lexi's Day partner J.D.'s Barbeque. All proceeds from the meal tickets go directly to the Alexis Kaiser Foundation.
Donations to the Alexis Kaiser Foundation can be made here. Fans can click here for more details on Lexi's Day and the event's history.
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.
