By: Jordan Griffitt
Kennesaw State (6-14, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
Location: Bailey Park - Kennesaw, Ga.
Sunday, March 10 @ Noon ET – Vs. South Dakota State
Sunday, March 10 @ 2:30 p.m. ET – Vs. South Dakota State
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
In lieu of the Boise State Tournament, the Owls have scheduled South Dakota State at Bailey Park for a Sunday doubleheader. Kennesaw State owns a 3-0 all-time advantage over the Jackrabbits with the previous match-up taking place 14 years ago. The Black and Gold battled them in a doubleheader taking both games Feb. 14, 2010.
Don't Blink
Starting the week, the Owls have been among the best thieves in the country standing 25th in the NCAA in stolen bases with 37. It's also been a balanced attack with seven separate Owls recording a stolen bag. They are just two away from the ASUN lead and of the 37, they have been caught stealing only five times.
She's Got Wheels
Stella Henry has been blazing on the base paths this year. She has totaled 14 stolen bags through 20 games played. She collected 16 stolen bases in 49 games last year. Her 14 stolen bases are second in the ASUN and good for 7th in the NCAA. Henry is only three away from the nation's leader at 14. She is also 25th in the nation in stolen bases per game with .70.
Kyte's Brilliance
Graduate
Lindsey Kyte is having a career season as she continues to toss terrific performances. Through 40.1 inning pitched, she has career low 3.12 ERA with 29 strikeouts compared to 13 walks. She has dazzled in two starts, the first versus UTSA throwing a one-hitter in the 3-1 win. The other strong game came versus UNCG where she carried a one-hitter into extra innings. In that game she set a career high in innings pitched with 7.2.
Putting the Ball in Play
Madison Miller continues to be one of the hardest players in the nation to strike out. Miller is ranked 15th in the NCAA in "Toughest to Strike Out" with a 45.0 rating. She leads the charge for multi-hit games for KSU with six. Among Owl players with at least 10 starts, she is the only player to have a perfect fielding percentage.
Ferocious Opposition
The docket has been loaded for Kennesaw State facing a slew of regional and power five teams. Half of the Owls losses have come to either power five teams or 2023 NCAA Regional squads.
Early Inning Surges
The Owls have been dangerous in the early innings in their wins. KSU took the victory versus Robert Morris via run rule thanks to an eight run first inning, the highest single inning total of the season. They then put six runs up in the first inning versus Bethune-Cookman, batting around in an inning for the second time this year.
On the Move
On October 14, 2022, Kennesaw State University announced it will be joining Conference USA in all sports, effective July 1, 2024. KSU has been in the ASUN Conference (and previously the Big South for football) since its move to Division I in 2006.
On Deck
The Owls will stay home March 12 to face UTSA at Bailey Park at 1 p.m then Mercer the next day at 6 p.m.
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.
