Kennesaw State (9-19, 1-2 ASUN) vs. Eastern Kentucky (15-12, 0-3 ASUN)
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Game One: Friday, Mar. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Game Two: Saturday, Mar. 25 at 3:00 p.m.
Game Three: Sunday, Mar. 26 at 1:00 p.m.

Leading Off
After 10 games on the road, Kennesaw State softball returns to Bailey Park for a three-game conference series against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
 
The Owls enter the weekend having won each of the last six conference home-opening series'. KSU went 9-3 against ASUN competition inside Bailey Park a season ago.
 
Taylor Cates steps up to the plate on a three-game hitting streak with 17 hits in her last 12 games, including 16 RBI, six doubles, one triple and three home runs. She is currently tied with Sharon Swanson for second on the KSU DI career home run list with 44.
 
Kennesaw State has won each of the last three ASUN games inside Bailey Park.
 
Fans can catch the action on the KSU Owl Network. Admission is free to all 2023 home KSU softball games.
 
 
On the Calendar
Saturday's contest against the Colonels is headlined with 'Capes and Crowns Day.' Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes and will be able to take photos with costumed heroes prior to first pitch.
 
Returning for the 2023 conference schedule is postgame autographs. Fans can secure the signature of their favorite Owls after every home Sunday conference game at Bailey Park this season.
 
All promotions for the 2023 Kennesaw State softball season are subject to change and availability,
 
The Iron Woman
Infielder Taylor Cates has been a staple in the Kennesaw State lineup during her career. On Sunday, Mar. 19 at Austin Peay, Cates surpassed Owl legend Jessica Cross with her 164th consecutive game played for the most in Kennesaw State DI history. In the Owls' next contest against No. 17/16 Georgia, the Canton, Ga. native surpassed Cross again - this time for most consecutive starts in KSU DI history, also with 164.
 
A Familiar Foe
The two schools meet on the softball field for the first time as ASUN opponents and the first time overall since Feb. 15, 2008. KSU leads the all-time series, 2-1.
 
In the February 2008 contest, the Owls won 13-5 inside Bailey Park. EKU's lone win came on Feb. 19, 2006 in Atlanta, Ga.
 
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).
 
KSU's pitching clinics continued Mar. 7 at Georgia Southern when Hilleary pitched 5.0 innings with 10 strikeouts allowing only four hits and zero earned runs in the Owls' 5-0 win. Bennett pitched the final two innings, getting three strikeouts of her own and earning the save – the first Owl to collect a save in 2023.
 
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.
  
On Deck
KSU's homestand rolls on Tuesday, Mar. 28 at 6:00 p.m. against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and admission is free to all 2023 Kennesaw State softball home 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.
 

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