LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Kennesaw State softball team (12-21, 4-3 ASUN Conference) was on the wrong side of a thrilling game one versus the 2022 ASUN Champion Liberty Flames (19-13, 5-2 ASUN) Friday at Kamphuis Field.
Taylor Cates,
Ty Hardeman and
Madison Miller each posted multi-hit games at the plate for the Owls in a back-and-forth contest with three lead changes during the seven innings.
Cates acquired the first hit for Kennesaw State after sneaking one through the infield in the opening frame.
The Flames added one run apiece in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead early.
Kiera Cooper got the Owls within one with a no-doubter solo home run in the top of the fourth. The homer was her third of the year and eighth of her KSU career.
With
Bella Galloway and Hardeman reaching on singles in the top of the fifth, Cates sent one through the left side to score Galloway and even the game at two.
In the next at-bat,
Brinaya Bailey proved to be clutch yet again at the plate with a two-RBI single to give Kennesaw State a 4-2 advantage.
Liberty took back the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the sixth. The Owls managed two hits in the seventh but were unable to retake the lead.
Melanie Bennett (6-5) pitched 3.2 innings of relief and was credited with the loss.
GAME NOTES
>> Cates extended her team-leading hitting streak to three games. She leads the Owls in 2023 with 32 hits.
>> Hardeman recorded her seventh multi-hit game of the season.
ON DECK
The Owls and Flames are set for game two of this series Saturday, Apr. 1 at 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.
