By: Michael Pitts
Kennesaw State (5-13, 0-0 ASUN) at Georgia Southern (10-10, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Location: Eagle Field at GS Softball Complex – Statesboro, Ga.
Game Info: Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Leading Off
Kennesaw State travels to Statesboro, Ga. Tuesday, Mar. 7 to meet the Georgia Southern Eagles for the first time since the 2019 season.
The Owls head to the GS Softball Complex one week after pitcher Melanie Bennett (3-2) led a nine-inning, complete-game shutout of the Samford Bulldogs on Feb. 28, securing a 1-0 victory for KSU.
KSU is 1-1 against teams from Georgia this season and 1-2 against Sun Belt teams, with the one victory coming against Troy on Feb. 19. The victory over the Trojans marked head coach Tripp MacKay's 100th win.
Freshman Stella Henry enters Tuesday on a six-game reached-base streak, the longest streak by an Owl thus far in 2023.
The midweek contest begins a 10-game road trip for the Owls. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
A Familiar Foe
The Owls lead the all-time series, 17-11 and won the last meeting 5-4 on Apr. 24, 2019 in Statesboro, Ga.
KSU holds a 7-6 road record versus Georgia Southern in the series.
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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).
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.
Shining in the ASUN
Cates was the only member of the team to be named to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference team this season. A season ago, she finished tied for the conference lead in homers (19) and slugging percentage (.857), as well as second in average (.390) and seventh in RBI (48).
The Owls were picked to finish third in the conference behind 2022 champion Liberty and Central Arkansas. KSU travels to Lynchburg, Va. for a three-game set with the Flames March 31-Apr. 2.
On Deck
Kennesaw State's road trip continues with the UCF Round Robin starting Friday, Mar. 10 through Sunday, Mar. 12 against North Dakota, UCF and Toledo.
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.
