By: Michael Pitts
Kennesaw State (4-10, 0-0 ASUN) vs. Samford Bulldogs (5-9, 0-0 SoCon)
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Game Info: Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 5:00 p.m.
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Leading Off
After 11 consecutive games away from home, the Kennesaw State softball team returns to Bailey Park to meet the Samford Bulldogs on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 5:00 p.m.
The Owls homestand begins after pulling off a remarkable road upset of No. 11/7 Alabama Sunday at the Bama Bash.
Freshman pitcher Kenley Hilleary led the charge with a complete-game four-hitter allowing only three runs to secure KSU's victory over the Crimson Tide. It was the Owls' first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 5/6 Kentucky on Feb. 14, 2015 and was Hilleary's first career collegiate victory in the circle.
Hilleary's stellar performance at the Bama Bash did not start with KSU's contest against Alabama. Against Indiana State on Friday, she went 10.0 innings allowing only five hits and one run with a career-high 11 strikeouts. The true freshman took a no-hit bid into the top of the seventh before it was disrupted by the Sycamores with one out.
She was named ASUN Pitcher of the Week Monday.
Fans can catch the action on KSU Owl Network with Trey Fowler on the call. Admission is free to all 2023 KSU home softball games.
Familiar Foes
KSU leads the all-time series against Samford, 10-5. The Bulldogs completed a four-game sweep of the Owls in 2022 to trim their deficit in the series.
The last win for Kennesaw State in the series came on Mar. 29, 2017 in a 9-1 win in Homewood, Ala. KSU's last win against Samford at home was in the form of a 3-2 victory on Feb. 20, 2013.
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: .620). 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.
On Deck
The I-75 Challenge returns to Kennesaw on Thursday, Mar. 2 through Saturday, Mar. 4 with one game against Northern Iowa and two apiece versus Southern Mississippi and Brown.
Fans can catch the action on KSU Owl Network and admission is free for all 2023 home KSU softball contests.
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.
