KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team (5-11) opened the I-75 Challenge with a 4-2 loss to Southern Mississippi (13-2) inside Bailey Park Friday.
Despite the defeat, Owl senior
Brinaya Bailey once again proved to be stellar at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Pitcher
Melanie Bennett pitched 4.0 innings of relief and acquired six strikeouts allowing only two hits.
The Golden Eagles crossed home first in the contest, getting out to a 2-0 lead after the first two innings.
Freshman
Stella Henry was a highlight of the early stages of the game for the Black and Gold, putting together a web-gem diving catch in center field to steal a potential extra-base hit from Southern Miss.
Bailey put KSU on the board in the fourth inning with an RBI single to score
Taylor Cates on a 2-0 count, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Southern Miss answered two innings later, plating two more runs to take a 4-1 advantage.
In the bottom of the frame, Bailey came through again for the Owls and doubled to deep left-center to send Henry home and sending the Golden Eagle lead back down to two, 4-2.
The Kennesaw State really came up short in the seventh as the 13-2 Golden Eagles took the victory.
Starter
Lindsey Kyte (1-5) pitched 3.0 innings and was credited with the loss.
The defeat snapped KSU's two-game winning streak and marked its first loss at home this season.
GAME NOTES
>> Henry extended her team-leading hit streak to four games, tying
Stacey Deputy for the longest by an Owl this season.
>> Bailey's 2023 batting average improved to a team-best .319 Friday.
>> Cates tied
Faith Alexander for the team lead with seven stolen bases.
ON DECK
KSU is set to face Northern Iowa for a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 4 starting at 1:30 p.m. to close the I-75 Challenge.
Admission is free to all 2023 KSU softball home games and fans can catch the action on KSU Owl Network.
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.
