Kennesaw State (10-30, 5-10 Atlantic Sun)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. - Bailey Park
Saturday, April 20 @ 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT – Vs. North Alabama
Saturday, April 20 @ 4:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. CT – Vs. North Alabama
Sunday, April 21 @ 1 p.m. – Vs. North Alabama
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
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The pitching staff continues to be a strength of the Owls and it was no more apparent than versus Bellarmine last weekend. Over 21 innings, the staff collected 19 strikeouts while only allowing two earned runs.
Kenley Hilleary,
Melanie Bennett and
Lindsey Kyte all tossed complete games, the first time they've accrued three consecutive CG's this season. The series ERA registered at .86.
Found Spaces in the Armor
In the Bellarmine series, Kennesaw State grew leaps and bounds in the ASUN standings, jumping four spots. The Owls have now earned their first series sweep of the year along with their second three-game winning streak of the year. They are just one of three teams currently riding a winning streak. The combined conference record of the Owls future ASUN opponents stands at 28-17.
Freshman in the Fold
Freshman
Hannah Harvey made her collegiate debut in game one in the Bellarmine series and has impressed since. It was not only her first appearance in an Owl uniform but her first start as she served as the DP for the first three games she played in. In the Georgia State game, she recorded her first start int he field as she started at shortstop. She has recorded two hits and two RBI thus far.
Series History
Although the trend has gone against the Owls as of late, KSU has a heavy advantage over the Lions with a 18-6 all-time tally. To being the series battles dating back to 1995, the Black and Gold started off with a 12 game winning streak. They are looking to climb out of a three game losing streak to UNA with all three coming last year in Kennesaw. A solid indicator for the Owls is that they are undefeated when traveling to Florence, Ala. at 9-0.
Milestone Watch:
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Lindsey Kyte: 297.1 inning pitched
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Ty Hardeman: 141 games played
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Stella Henry: 93 games played, 91 games started & 86 hits
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Kiera Cooper: 98 hits & 29 doubles
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Melanie Bennett: 688 innings pitched, 586 strikeouts & 2,993 batters faced
Finding the Gaps
Kiera Cooper has always had a special ability to lace the ball into the outfield gaps, but this year has been magnified. The lone senior has 11 doubles on the year, that tally is tied for second in the ASUN. Not only is it toward the top of the conference but it already signifies the most doubles in her career for a single season.
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 54th (out of 296) in the nation in total stolen bases with 51. That number is good for fourth in the Atlantic Sun. They are also 73rd in the NCAA in stolen bases per game with 1.31.
Bennett's Blazing Through Hitters
Another year means another lockdown second half of the year for
Melanie Bennett. In her last 25 innings, she has accrued a 2.16 ERA. Over that stretch, she has allowed just six earned runs on the back on a .219 opponent average. Possibly the most impressive aspect of her game has been the strikeouts as she has stacked 20 in the last five games. She also had not allowed a single home run in her four appearances. She has lowered her season ERA to 2.87, the lowest on the team.
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 midtown action continues as they face Georgia State April 17 in Atlanta as it marks a previously rescheduled game from earlier in the season.
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.
