KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State (12-19, 4-2 ASUN Conference) brought out the brooms Sunday after a 6-4 victory over Eastern Kentucky (15-15, 0-6 ASUN) completed the series sweep inside Bailey Park.
First baseman
Brinaya Bailey made her 100th career start in the series finale and provided a memorable performance, going 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
Freshman catcher
Stacey Deputy headlined the Owl win with her first-career homer that proved to be difference for the Owls.
After back-to-back infield singles from
Madison Miller and
Taylor Cates, Bailey proved to be clutch yet again, sending a ball right up the middle to score Miller and give KSU a 1-0 lead.
In the next at-bat for the Owls,
Caroline Shumeyko launched a double to deep right-center to score Cates and extend the lead to 2-0. A groundout from
Bella Galloway plated Bailey to make it 3-0 after one.
Starter
Melanie Bennett (6-4) started off hot in the circle, allowing only one hit through the first three frames and striking out the side in the second inning.
Bailey led off the bottom of the third with her second hit of the day followed by an infield single from Galloway.
With two on, Deputy launched a no-doubter to left for her first-career home run, increasing the Kennesaw State lead to 6-0.
EKU's best scoring opportunity came in the top of the fourth with bases loaded but Bennett secured a swinging strikeout for the third out to keep the Colonels scoreless.
Bennett and the Owl defense did not allow EKU the same opportunity in the top of the fifth, sitting down the Colonel batters in order.
Eastern Kentucky added three runs in the sixth to cut the Owl lead to 6-3. The Colonels added another in the seventh to make it a 6-4 game but their rally fell short.
Bennett pitched a complete game allowing only three earned runs with six strikeouts to secure the sweep for KSU.
GAME NOTES
>> Bailey's three-hit game was the second of her career and first since the 2022 ASUN tournament on May 12 vs. Jacksonville State.
>> 10 hits for KSU Sunday are the team's most in a game since Mar. 11 at RV UCF.
>> The Owls improved to 48-8 when recording 10+ hits under head coach
Tripp MacKay.
ON DECK
The Owls are set to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Tuesday, Mar. 28 at 6:00 p.m. for the final midweek home game of the regular season.
Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and admission is free for all home games during the 2023 KSU softball season.
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.
