By: Michael Pitts
Kennesaw State (5-10, 0-0 ASUN) hosting the I-75 Challenge
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Leading Off
The I-75 Challenge returns to Bailey Park this weekend for five games against the Northern Iowa Panthers (6-6), Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (12-1) and Brown Bears (1-4).
2023 marks the sixth rendition of the I-75 Challenge that originated in the 2017 season for KSU.
Kennesaw State enters the event after a thrilling 1-0 extra-inning victory over Samford Tuesday. The win was highlighted by a complete-game pitching masterpiece by starter Melanie Bennett (3-2).
Last season the Owls finished with a 2-2 record in the I-75 Challenge. KSU has never finished with a losing record in its home tournament.
The tournament begins Thursday, Mar. 2 through Saturday, Mar. 4. All games will be broadcast on KSU Owl Network and admission is free.
Familiar Foes
Northern Iowa: The two teams have only met once before with the Panthers taking an 8-0 win on Feb. 17, 2018 in Kissimmee, Fla.
Southern Mississippi: KSU leads the all-time series, 4-1 but the two squads haven't faced off since Feb. 13, 2011. The Owls hold a three-game win streak in the series and stand 1-1 in games inside Bailey Park vs. the Golden Eagles.
Brown: Saturday's doubleheader against the Bears marks the first two meetings between KSU and Brown in program history.
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Circle of Gems
The final week of February was highlighted by incredible performances in the circle from Kennesaw State pitchers. On Feb. 24 vs. Indiana State, freshman Kenley Hilleary took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and finished with 10.0 innings pitched, five hits and one earned run allowed with a career-high 11 strikeouts.
Hilleary struck again on Feb. 26 at No. 11/7 Alabama with a complete-game four-hitter allowing only three earned runs as KSU upset the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. It marked the Owls' first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 14, 2015 vs. No. 5/6 Kentucky. Between the two games, Hilleary threw 302 pitches and collected both ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors and a national "Selected Top Performances" mention by the NFCA.
On Feb. 28 vs. Samford, Bennett pitched 9.0 innings of shutout ball with 13 strikeouts and only one earned run as KSU defeated Samford, 1-0. It marked the senior's 50th career complete game, becoming only the second Owl in KSU's DI history to achieve the mark (Brittany Matthews, 2006-08).
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 Owls hit the road again following the I-75 Challenge with a trip to Statesboro against the Georgia Southern Eagles on Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
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.
