LYNCHBURG, Va. – Kennesaw State softball (12-22, 4-4 ASUN Conference) dropped a hard-fought game two against the 2022 ASUN Champion Liberty Flames (20-13, 6-2 ASUN) 6-0 Saturday at LU Softball Stadium.
Infielder
Taylor Cates made her 170th consecutive start, extending her KSU Division I record.
The home team scored first in the opening frame and got out to a 1-0 advantage. The Flames had bases loaded with one out but the Owl defense collected the final two outs of the inning without allowing additional runs. LU added another in both second and the third to go up 3-0.
Pitcher
Kenley Hilleary struck out the side in the third to reach her 85th career punchout.
Two more Liberty runs in the fourth extended the deficit followed by one more in the sixth to make it a 6-0 game. The Black and Gold were unable to overtake the Flame lead in the final three innings.
Starter
Laura Bishop (1-4) was credited with the loss.
GAME NOTES
>> Cates extended her team-leading hitting streak to four games. She leads the Owls in 2023 with 34 hits.
>> Kiera Cooper tallied her second stolen base of the season and eighth of her KSU career.
>> Stacey Deputy recorded her ASUN-leading 11th runner caught stealing in the second inning.
>> Madison Miller notched her 10th drawn walk of the season, third-most on the team in 2023.
ON DECK
Kennesaw State and Liberty conclude the three-game set Sunday, Apr. 2 at 12:00 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.
