By: Jordan Griffitt
Kennesaw State (10-22, 2-4 Atlantic Sun)
Location: Bailey Park - Kennesaw, Ga.
Friday, March 29 @ 6 p.m. ET – Vs. Jacksonville
Saturday, March 30 @ 1:30 p.m. ET – Vs. Jacksonville
Saturday, March 30 @ 3:30 p.m. ET – Vs. Jacksonville
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
Kennesaw State (10-22) is seeking to climb back up the ASUN ranks with a three game series versus Jacksonville (12-17) at Bailey Park starting Friday evening.
Bennett Shines Versus No. 3 Georgia
Fifth year pitcher
Melanie Bennett came in relief versus top ranked ranked Georgia and was lockdown. Over three innings, she didn't allow a run and surrendered only two hits. The Georgia lineup ranked top 10 in the NCAA in slugging percentage, home runs per game and walks. It was Bennett's first appearance versus a ranked opponent in which she did not allow a run.
The Hot Bats
Over the last five games, three Owls have garnered an above .300 batting average.
Kiera Cooper,
Ava Guzowski and
Madison Miller has combined for 13 total hits with three doubles and two home runs. Miller has led the charge with a .357 average, 49 points better than the next closest Owl. She also collected three sacrifice hits to round our and excellent week for the junior.
Power Streak
When facing ASUN competition, the Owls have been muscling up the ball. In the Stetson and Eastern Kentucky series, KSU has hammered seven home runs which account for half of the team's home run tally all season. Six of those seven have come in two games when the Owls homered three times in game two versus Stetson and game one against EKU. Three Owls are now tied for the team lead in home runs with three (Howes, Guzowski & Amerson-Fox).
The Speed Continues
Speed and athleticism have been one of the strengths for the Owls so far, and that trend has continued. Kennesaw State currently stands 44
th (out of 296) in the nation in total stolen bases with 47. That number is good for fourth in the Atlantic Sun. They are also 62ND in the NCAA in stolen bases per game with 1.47.
Making Them Earn It
When facing the Owls pitching staff, you will need to swing the bat. The Owls rank second in the ASUN in strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 2.03 average. For 155 strikeouts, the Owls have only surrendered 76 walks.
Series History
These teams have scraped for years totaling 46 total games played dating back to 2006. The advantage leans toward the Owls with a 31-15 tilt. The Black and Gold recently held a 10 game winning-streak that lasted four years from 2018-2022. Kennesaw State got the last laugh last season with a Sunday win in Jacksonville, Fla. 6-0. The Dolphins secured the series with a combined run differential of +2 for the Owls.
Scouting Report
The Dolphins come into their third ASUN series with a 12-17 overall record and 2-4 conference tally. They are top 100 in four categories with their highest rank coming in at 41st in earned run average and total stolen bases. The team ERA sits at 2.45, fourth best in the conference. They have also swiped 48 bags, good for third in the ASUN. They are also second in the circuit in walks with 103 on the season.
On Deck
The midweek action is back for the Owls as they take on Georgia State April 3 at Bailey Park. It will round out 13 out of the previous 16 games in Kennesaw, Ga.
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.
