KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State (11-29) slayed the Bellarmine Knights (13-22) in a 2-1 final Friday night in a one-hour long showdown at Bailey Park. 
 
Kenley Hilleary led the way as the Black and Gold snapped an 11-game losing skid.
 
Kiera Cooper tallied the first hit for either side as she dribbled one though the middle for a single. After an advancement to second base due to the passed ball, she was brought home temporarily by Macie Howes. Howes initially doubled down the third base line, but it was then ruled a foul ball minutes later. Howes would then ground out to the first baseman, sending Cooper to third.
 
In her first at-bat of her collegiate career, Hannah Harvey recorded an RBI as she shot the ball over to second base to advance Cooper to the plate. The freshman did not record a hit on the play but gave the Owls a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
 
The Knights battled back in the top of the fifth with a double down the left field line to even it to one a piece.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Ava Guzowski came up big to swipe the lead back for the Owls with a frozen rope RBI through the middle. It allowed Madison Miller to come around to score after she reached base via an error.
 
Spotlight Performances
Kenley Hilleary was dicing hitters all game long as she ended with eight strikeouts through her complete game, her fourth of the season to lead the Owls
 
When it came to driving in runs, the freshmen were the ones to rely on. Guzowski and Harvey both allocated the two runs for KSU
 
It's the Owls first win on the season in which they scored two runs
 
On Deck
It's a speedy whip around as they face Bellarmine in game two Saturday at 2 p.m. in our White-Out game.
 
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2024.
 
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