2023 Schedule
 
Kennesaw State (1-1, 0-0 ASUN) vs. Mercer Bears (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Game Info: Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Follow the Action: Watch Live | Live Stats
Game Notes
 
Leading Off
For the first time since 2014, the Mercer Bears travel to Bailey Park to open the 2023 KSU softball home schedule Wednesday.
KSU has never lost to Mercer at home, boasting a 15-0 record in such games.
The Owls split a doubleheader against Tennessee Tech and UT Martin Friday, where the Owls scored 16 runs against the Golden Eagles – the most runs scored in a game in the Tripp MacKay era (since 2019).
MacKay's Owls have won each of their last six home games dating back to the 2022 season.
Fans can catch the action on the KSU Owl Network and on the KSU Owls App with Jordan Griffitt on the call.
 
Get it on Your Schedule
Free 2023 Kennesaw State softball schedule posters will be available for fans at the gate leading up to first pitch while supplies last. Admission is free to all 2023 KSU softball home games at Bailey Park.
 
Making History
Cates' return to the Owls for 2023 is headlined by her chase of multiple KSU career records. Entering this season, she is staring down the Owl benchmark slugging percentage of .679 (Cates' current mark: .638). Her career home run total is only 17 away from tying Cambria McKay's mark of 58. The Canton, Ga. native also needs only one sacrifice fly to set the new KSU career record of eight.
 
A New Staff
MacKay added two new assistants to his staff over the summer, Peejay Brun and Brea Dickey. Brun brings over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Kennesaw State, having most recently been the head coach of UT Arlington. Dickey makes her return to KSU as one of the most decorated softball players in program history as a career .364 hitter with 135 hits and a .953 OPS. They join MacKay and volunteer assistant/pitching coach Crystal Hampton.
 
Shining in the ASUN
Cates was the only member of the team to be named to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference team this season. A season ago, she finished tied for the conference lead in homers (19) and slugging percentage (.857), as well as second in average (.390) and seventh in RBI (48).
The Owls were picked to finish third in the conference behind 2022 champion Liberty and Central Arkansas. KSU travels to Lynchburg, Va. for a three-game set with the Flames March 31-Apr. 2.
 
A Familiar Foe
Kennesaw State is 23-11 against the Mercer Bears entering Wednesday's contest.
The Black and Gold have won each of the last two games in the contest, with both being last season.
The Owls are 15-0 all-time inside Bailey Park against Mercer. The in-state foe is making its first trip to Bailey Park since 2014.
 
On Deck
After their midweek battle with the Bears, the Owls head to Troy, Ala. for five games between Murray State and Troy at the Troy Invitational.
KSU returns to Bailey Park on Tuesday, Feb. 28 against Samford.

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.
 

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