SAN MARCOS, Texas – Late night heroics versus UTSA (0-4) lifted the Kennesaw State Owls (1-1), 3-1, to split Friday's doubleheader in the Texas State Tournament.
The Black and Gold went into the eighth inning to defeat the Roadrunners thanks in part to a gem thrown by
Lindsey Kyte and a two-run jack from
Caroline Shumeyko.
The Owls dropped the first game to the 2023 NCAA Regional Texas State Bobcats (3-0), 4-3. The game was led by the Owls until a late surge from TSU put them over the edge.
Game One (L, 4-3)
Stella Henry extended her reached base streak to 19 games after leading off the season with a bunt base hit. Henry then swiped her first bag of the season a few pitches later.
In the top of the fourth, catcher
Macie Howes uncorked the first home run of the season scoring two runs. It not only marked KSU's first runs of the year, but Howes' first hit and home run as an Owl.
The Bobcats were able to muster trouble for starter
Melanie Bennett (0-1) getting two runners on in the bottom of the fifth. Bennett then forced a foul fly out to end the threat.
In the top of the sixth, Howes singled to shallow right field to advance
Kiera Cooper to third.
Kassidy Amerson-Fox brought Cooper home with a jam shot to the right side in the infield, scoring the third run for the Owls.
A three run-homer from Texas State equalized in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bobcats then secured the lead a few batters later and earned the victory, 4-3.
Game Two (W, 3-1)
After a quick turnaround, the Owls held the UTSA Roadrunners to just one run over eight innings.
Kyte exited the game 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.
The gridlock was broken by Amerson-Fox who bunt singled, leading to a throwing error that scored Henry. There afterward, Shumeyko knocked out a two-run shot to extend the lead to three, 3-0. It showcased as just her second-career home run with her first coming versus No. 7 Alabama last year.
Kenley Hilleary (1-0) slammed the door shut with four strikeouts over two innings in relief to lift Kennesaw State to the 3-1 victory.
ON DECK
The Owls battle both Northwestern State Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1:15 p.m. ET and Creighton the following day, Sunday, Feb. 11.
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.
