Box Score Game 1 |
Box Score Game 2 |
Donate to Lexi's Day
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State softball swept its doubleheader against Lipscomb on the 14th annual Lexi's Day at Bailey Park with a 3-1 victory in game one and a walk-off, 6-5, win in game two. The sweep improves the Owls to 15-29 (7-10 ASUN Conference), while the Bisons fall to 17-26 (5-12 ASUN).
After today's results, KSU leads the all-time series with Lipscomb by a record of 26-21.
Game 1 Final: Lipscomb 1 Kennesaw State 3
Kenley Hilleary (5-9) made her 15th start on the mound and tossed the seventh complete game of her career. The freshman allowed one run (zero earned) on three hits with five strikeouts.
Offensively, KSU collected nine hits and were led by
Kiera Cooper who finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Other notables included
Stella Henry (2-for-3, run scored),
Laura Bishop (1-for-3, RBI) and
Stacey Deputy (1-for-3, double, run scored).
The Owls jumped on the board in the bottom of the first when Bishop ripped a single to right that brought home a hustling Henry. Cooper followed with a double that hit the top of the wall to score
Taylor Cates and gave KSU an early 2-0 lead.
The Bisons cut the deficit to one in the third due to a KSU throwing error.
KSU answered in the bottom half with back-to-back doubles from Deputy and Cooper. Cooper notched her second RBI of the day to mark her fourth multi-RBI game of the season which put KSU ahead, 3-1.
Hilleary dominated over the final four frames and kept Lipscomb off the scoreboard to earn her fifth win of the year.
Game 2 Final: Lipscomb 5 Kennesaw State 6
In a tie game in the bottom of the seventh,
Taylor Cates ripped a double to left-center field that brought home the game-winning run and secured the doubleheader sweep for the Owls. The KSU third baseman was 1-for-2 in game two with a pair of RBI and two walks.
Melanie Bennett (8-10) made history today as the senior notched her 83rd career start on the mound to move into first place in KSU softball's Division I history for total starts by a pitcher. The right-hander tossed all seven innings and tallied five strikeouts.
Offensively, Kennesaw State posted six hits and five walks in the win. Notables included
Stella Henry (1-for-2, two walks, two runs scored),
Laura Bishop (1-for-2, two RBI) and
Kiera Cooper (1-for-3, HR and two RBI).
Lipscomb scored two runs in the first inning to swipe the early lead, but KSU answered with three runs in the bottom of the first.
Cates walked then stole second base before a two-out double from Bishop brought her home. Cooper continued her hot day at the plate by blasting a two-run shot over the right field wall to put Kennesaw State ahead, 3-2.
The Bisons tied the score with one run in the second.
With one out in the fifth, KSU retook the lead. A wild pitch brought home Henry and then a sacrifice fly from Bishop scored
Madison Miller. This was the third RBI of the afternoon for the Owls' first baseman and gave Kennesaw State a 5-3 advantage.
Lipscomb tied the game with a two-RBI single up the middle in the top of the sixth.
Henry led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With one out in the frame, Cates ripped the walk-off double to give KSU a 6-5 lead.
Next Up
Kennesaw State softball is back in action tomorrow for the series finale with Lipscomb. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. inside Bailey Park as the Owls aim for the series sweep.
