By: Michael Pitts
Kennesaw State (12-19, 4-2 ASUN) vs. Georgia Tech (16-15, 2-7 ACC)
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Game Info: Tuesday, Mar. 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Leading Off
The final home midweek game of the 2023 regular season is on deck for the Kennesaw State softball team against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Tuesday, Mar. 28 inside Bailey Park.
KSU seeks to even the season series after falling to the ACC foe 5-3 in Atlanta on Feb. 21.
The Black and Gold completed a three-game sweep of ASUN foe Eastern Kentucky this past weekend, earning their fifth-straight home conference series win and seventh-straight home conference opening-series victory.
First baseman Brinaya Bailey has been on a hot streak the last four games with a .545 batting average, one homer and nine total bases. She started her 100th career game against the Colonels on Sunday.
Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig is set to throw out the first pitch prior to the game's start.
First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on ESPN+ with Jordan Griffitt and Matteen Rad on the call. Admission is free for all 2023 home KSU softball contests.
On the Calendar
Tuesday is FLIGHT26 Takeover Night inside Bailey Park. FLIGHT is the first-year student initiative with the purpose of developing a class-year identity program aimed at increasing first-year students' sense of belonging and affinity for KSU.
There will be gate giveaways and the first 50 students through the gates wearing their FLIGHT26 jerseys will receive a slice of Hungry Howie's pizza.
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
This contest marks the 35th all-time meeting between the in-state foes. The Yellow Jackets have won each of the last four games in the series.
The last win for Kennesaw State came on Apr. 23, 2021 in a 5-2 win at Bailey Park.
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
Kennesaw State hits the road again Friday, Mar. 31 for game one of a three-game set against the 2022 ASUN Champion Liberty Flames. First pitch is set for 3:00 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.
