By: Jordan Griffitt
Kennesaw State (2-3, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Bailey Park - Kennesaw, Ga.
Friday, Feb. 16: Vs. Ole Miss @ 4 p.m. | Vs. ETSU @ 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17: Vs. Ole Miss @ 4 p.m. | Vs. Pitt @ 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb 18: Vs. ETSU @ 1 p.m.
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
Watch: KSU Owl Network
Top-Tier Opponents
Fresh off their match versus No. 2 Tennessee, Kennesaw State will face two more power five squads in Ole Miss and Pitt in the Kennesaw State Tournament. The Rebels were a NCAA Regional squad last year securing two wins over Baylor in 2023 postseason play. This year, Ole Miss is 4-1 with wins over Kansas City, Nevada and Hawai'i while Pitt sits at 2-2 after beating Memphis twice. It's just the start of the Owls seven power five opponents scheduled for 2024.
The Hot Hand
Infielder
Caroline Shumeyko has burst onto the scene early on playing in all five games sporting a .333 batting average, tied for the team lead. She has added the power at the plate leading the squad in SLUG% (.583) along with being tied for the team lead in RBIs (2) and home runs (1).
How To Make An Entrance
Catcher
Macie Howes jumped off the screen on opening day with a two-run home run to give the owls their first lead of the season versus Texas State. The California Baptist University transfer also mashed a double and now leads the team total bases with 7.
Young Production
The trend of young talent has spiked for yet another season with underclassmen accounting for four of the teams eight runs scored through four games. Leading the team in batting average among underclassmen is freshman
Abby Hammett (.333) followed by Henry (.308). Hammett was responsible for the game-winning RBI versus Northwestern State. Another contributor is Howes as she is second on the team in SLUG% (.533) along with knocking in the first dinger of the season versus Texas State.
The Sacred Circle
The strength of the Owls in the Texas State Tournament was the pitching staff allowing just 1.75 runs per game. It was a balanced effort headlined by with
Kenley Hilleary throwing nine innings not allowing a earned run.
Lindsey Kyte had a near career day leaving the game versus UTSA allowing no runs with just one hit over six innings. The performance marked Kyte's second career game throwing a one-hitter; The last came in 2020 versus Purdue Fort Wayne which was also her last seven-inning shutout. Freshmen
Emma Friedel and
Leah Jannakos also made their Owl debuts throwing 7.1 innings combined.
First Time Opponents
For the first time in the
Tripp MacKay era, the Owls faced four first-time opponents in Texas State, UTSA, Northwestern State and Creighton. Coming away with wins versus UTSA and NWSU and losses to a regional squad (TSU) and a Big East squad in Creighton.
On Deck
The Owls will jump from one tournament to another with the I-75 Challenge starting Friday, Feb. 23 with a double header versus Ball State.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2024.
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.
