By: Michael Pitts
Kennesaw State (13-29, 5-10 ASUN) vs. Lipscomb (17-23, 5-10 ASUN)
Location: Bailey Park – Kennesaw, Ga.
Game One: Saturday, Apr. 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Game Two: Saturday, Apr. 22 at 4:00 p.m.
Game Three: Sunday, Apr. 23 at 12:00 p.m.
Leading Off
The Black and Gold return home for a weekend three-game series against ASUN Conference foe Lipscomb beginning Saturday, Apr. 22.
Freshman Stacey Deputy cruises into the weekend batting .308 in the last five games and has caught three runners stealing. She is 5th in the country in that category with 14 in 2023.
Kenley Hilleary has posted an ERA of 1.31 in her last two appearances with 10.2 innings pitched and 10 strikeouts while allowing only three hits and two runs. She recorded her 100th career punchout on Tuesday in Knoxville, Tenn.
KSU enters the series after defeating Jacksonville 6-0 on Sunday and falling to No. 4 Tennessee Tuesday 7-3.
Lexi's Day
The beloved tradition returns to Bailey Park for Saturday's doubleheader against the Bisons. This year the Alexis Kaiser Foundation will honor Jenna Hickey. Click here for more information on Lexi's Day 2023.
Food generously provided by Lexi's Day partner J.D.'s Barbeque is available for purchase for the first 100 fans. Day of meal purchases will be credit card only. Click here to purchase a meal ticket or make a donation to the Alexis Kaiser Foundation.
Postgame Autographs
Fans will be able to get autographs from their favorite KSU softball players following Sunday's contest (weather permitting).
A Familiar Foe
The Owls enter Saturday holding a 24-21 advantage in the all-time series against the Bisons. KSU has won five of its last seven against Lipscomb – all inside Bailey Park.
The Bisons are searching for their first series win in Kennesaw since 2014.
The Iron Woman
Cates has been a staple in the Kennesaw State lineup during her career. On Sunday, Mar. 19 at Austin Peay, Cates surpassed Owl legend Jessica Cross with her 164th consecutive game played for the most in Kennesaw State DI history. In the Owls' next contest against No. 17/16 Georgia, the Canton, Ga. native surpassed Cross again - this time for most consecutive starts in KSU DI history, also with 164.
Circle of Gems
One of the main themes for KSU softball so far in 2023 are stellar performances by the Owl pitching staff.
Feb. 15 vs. Mercer – The Owls shutout Mercer behind 4.0 innings of two-hit ball from Lindsey Kyte. Melanie Bennett entered in relief and collected her 400th career strikeout.
Feb. 19 at Troy – Bennett struck again for the Owls against the Trojans with a three-hit complete game in the circle as the Owls won 1-0.
Feb. 24 vs. Indiana State – Freshman Kenley Hilleary made a name for herself in the Bama Bash, starting with a 10-inning complete game allowing only one earned run and five hits. She notched a then-career-high 11 strikeouts with 180 pitches thrown.
Feb. 26 at No. 7/6 Alabama – KSU's wire-to-wire upset of the Crimson Tide was led by Hilleary's four-hit complete game. She had four K's in the circle and the win marked her first collegiate victory. Hilleary won ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors.
Feb. 28 vs. Samford – Another 1-0 win for the Owls with Bennett in the circle featured a nine-inning complete game from the KSU ace. She allowed only four hits with a commanding 13 strikeouts in the shutout.
Mar. 7 at Georga Southern – Hilleary crushed it again for the Owls, pitching 5.0 innings allowing no runs with only four hits. She struck out half of the batters she faced, tallying 10 total on the evening – including two punchouts in each inning of work.
Mar. 10 vs. North Dakota – Laura Bishop led the charge in KSU's run-rule win over UND. She pitched a five-inning complete game with zero earned runs and only five hits allowed to Fighting Hawk batters to secure her first win of 2023.
Mar. 24 vs. Eastern Kentucky – Bennett earned her 50th career win with five innings of work and seven strikeouts in the Owls victory.
Mar. 25 vs. Eastern Kentucky – Hilleary dominated yet again with her fourth complete game allowing only one hit and one run in 28 batters faced as the Owls took a 2-1 win to earn the series victory over the Colonels. Five of her strikeouts came in the first four innings of the contest.
Apr. 16 at Jacksonville – Bennett ended the JU series on a high note, striking out six in a seven-inning complete game one-hitter against the Dolphins. It marked the third one-hit complete-game of her KSU career in the Owls' 6-0 victory. She set the KSU DI career record for complete games with 56.
On Deck
Kennesaw State returns to the road Wednesday, Apr. 26 for the final midweek of 2023 against the Samford Bulldogs. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. ET 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.
