JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Black and Gold (10-28) were unable to take either game in the doubleheader Saturday versus the highly touted North Florida Ospreys (25-12) at the UNF Softball Complex.
Game One (L, 3-2 | 10 Inn.)
The Owls took the Ospreys to the brink in the first game with a final in ten innings, the second time the Owls have gone into the tenth.
It was a low scoring affair for the majority of the ballgame with UNF taking the early lead in the third inning.
Melanie Bennett only allowed two base runners after the third inning as she posted a career high effort with 9.2 innings pitched in a single game.
In the sixth inning,
Kiera Cooper blasted a double into the left center gap to bring two runs home, tying the game at 2-2. The Owls were able to string three hits together starting with an
Ava Guzowski single then a
Kassidy Amerson-Fox knock. It was the only time in the game the Owls had consecutive base hits.
Cooper ended the play with her 10
th double and 18, continuing to lead the team in both categories. She is tied for a season career high with 10 doubles in the 2022 campaign.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 10
th inning. The Ospreys began the inning with a runner on second and were able to manufacture the winning run with a 3-2 final.
Game Two (L, 3-0)
To start the game,
Stella Henry reached with a bunt single but was unable to come around in the first inning.
The Ospreys struck with a two-run home run in the first inning. They then added another in the second inning to take the three-run lead.
The Owls' best opportunity to score came in the top of the sixth inning. They secured two hits beginning with a leadoff bloop single from
Madison Miller. That was followed by an Amerson-Fox single, but they were stranded at first and second base.
UNF was able to stunt the Owl offense for a 3-0 final in seven innings.
Spotlight Performances
Ava Guzowski returned to the lineup for the first time since March 27 versus No. 3 Georgia.
Melanie Bennett pitched a gem surrendered only two earned runs over 9.2 inning along with six strikeouts
Macie Howes continues to soar as she amassed two hits in two at-bats in game two
The defense was lockdown as they didn't collect an single error in 17 innings and showcased Guzowski and Hardeman making several marvelous plays
Henry singled twice in the second game with both coming within the first three innings
In the second game, KSU outhit the third best hitting team in the ASUN, 7-5
Over 17 innings, the pitching staff allowed just six runs to the top home run hitting team in the conference
On Deck
The Owls are back on the road as they take on North Florida in Jacksonville starting with a doubleheader Saturday.
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.
