2023 Schedule
 
Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 ASUN) at the Stinger Classic hosted by Alabama State
Location: Barbara Williams Softball Complex – Montgomery, Ala.
Friday, Feb. 10 @ 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT – vs. Tennessee Tech
Friday, Feb. 10 @ 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT – vs. UT Martin
Saturday, Feb. 11 @ 10:00 a.m. ET/9:00 a.m. CT – vs. Tennessee Tech
Saturday, Feb. 11 @ 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT – vs. UT Martin
Sunday, Feb. 12 @ 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT – vs. UT Martin
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
Series Live Stats: Click here
Series Game Notes: Click here
 
Leading Off
 
Tripp MacKay's fifth season at the helm of Kennesaw State softball begins this weekend in the form of a trip to the Stinger Classic in Montgomery, Ala.
The three-day spread sees the Owls square off against Tennessee Tech and UT Martin for five games beginning Friday, Feb. 10.
KSU is coming off a 23-28 season and a fourth-place finish in the ASUN tournament in 2022. Infielders Taylor Cates and Faith Alexander return to the squad for their fifth seasons at Kennesaw State. Cates led the team in several offensive categories a year ago and set the KSU DI record for home runs in a single season (19).
 
Making History
Cates' return to the Owls for 2023 is headlined by her chase of KSU career records. Entering this season, she is staring down the Owl benchmark slugging percentage of .679 (Cates' current mark: .644). 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.
 
Familiar Foes
Kennesaw State enters the weekend holding winning records in both series against the Tennessee squads.
The Owls have the all-time advantage over the Golden Eagles by one game, 11-10. The Black and Gold's last victory against Tennessee Tech came on Feb. 17, 2017 in Chattanooga, Tenn. TTU won the last meeting in the series.
KSU and the Skyhawks have only met four times, with the Owls boasting a 3-1 series lead. The two last met on Feb. 27, 2016 in a 7-6 victory for Kennesaw State.
 
On Deck
Following the trip to Montgomery, the Owls open the 2023 home schedule against the Mercer Bears on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5:00 p.m. KSU is 15-0 all-time against the Bears inside Bailey Park.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2023.

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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