By: Michael Pitts
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kennesaw State softball (13-29, 5-10 ASUN Conference) fell to the No. 4 Tennessee Lady Volunteers (35-5, 13-2 SEC) in a hard-fought 7-3 contest inside Sherri Parker Lee Stadium Tuesday.
Senior
Taylor Cates led the charge offensively for the Owls, going 1-for-1 with two walks and a two-run home run.
Madison Miller marked the first baserunner for the Black and Gold, reaching on an infield error by the Vols in the first inning.
Cates then sent a no-doubter to deep center to put the Owls up 2-0.
The homer marked Cates' 45th of her KSU career, placing her alone in second on the Kennesaw State Division I list. She tied
Kiera Cooper for the 2023 team lead in homers.
The fourth-ranked Lady Volunteers took the lead after two innings to go up 6-2. They added another in the fifth to increase their lead to 7-2.
With bases loaded in the top of the sixth,
Laura Bishop drew a walk to score
Ty Hardeman and cut the deficit to 7-3.
The Owls were unable to comeback to even the score with the front-runner of the SEC standings.
Kenley Hilleary entered the circle in the second and pitched 4.2 innings of relief allowing only one hit and one run while striking out five.
ON DECK
The Owls head home for a three-game series against the Lipscomb Bisons starting with two games Saturday, Apr. 22. The doubleheader is headlined by the beloved tradition Lexi's Day.
All three games of the series will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Admission is free for all 2023 KSU softball home contests.
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.
