KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team (5-13) completed its run in the 2023 I-75 Challenge with tough losses to Northern Iowa (8-7) at Bailey Park Saturday.
Senior
Taylor Cates surged at the plate, batting 3-for-6 on the day with one RBI and one double. Her four doubles this season lead the team.
The Owls fell 2-1 in game one and 6-1 in the weekend finale.
GAME ONE (L, 1-2)
After three scoreless frames from both teams, the Panthers scored off a double to center to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
UNI struck again in the fifth off a solo homer to take a 2-0 advantage.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, sophomore
Ty Hardeman reached on an error and stole second for her third of the season.
Three at-bats and a single from freshman
Stella Henry later, Cates stepped up to the plate and delivered an infield single to score Hardeman and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Kennesaw State put two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh but the KSU rally ended there, securing the win for UNI.
Starter
Kenley Hilleary (1-3) pitched all 7.0 innings allowing only five hits and two earned runs with 10 strikeouts. She was credited with the loss.
GAME TWO (L, 1-6)
UNI scored early in the contest and got out to a 4-0 lead through five innings.
In the bottom of the fifth inning,
Faith Alexander brought a run across for the Black and Gold with a single to left field to score
Stacey Deputy. The RBI single cut the deficit to 4-1.
Henry drew a walk in the next at-bat to reach base for the sixth-straight game, the longest-such streak by an Owl this season.
UNI added two more runs in the seventh to take a 6-1 lead that ended up as the final score.
Lindsey Kyte (1-6) pitched 2.0 innings and was credited with the loss.
ON DECK
The Owls hit the road for a trip to Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 7:00 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.
