Kennesaw State (10-29, 2-10 Atlantic Sun)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. - Bailey Park
Friday, April 12 @ 6 p.m. – Vs. Bellarmine
Saturday, April 13 @ 2 p.m. – Vs. Bellarmine
Sunday, April 14 @ 1 p.m. – Vs. Bellarmine
Follow the Action: @KSUOwlsSB on Twitter
Kennesaw State (10-29) will attempt to maintain their undefeated record versus the Bellarmine Knights (13-21)this weekend with a three day series at Bailey Park.
Continuing to Roll
Macie Howes continues to tear the cover off the ball as of late. In the last five games, her batting average stands at .400 to lead the team along with six base hits. She is also the lone Owl with double digit total bases as she has collected 10 while boosting a .667 slugging percentage. Her patience has been at an all-time high with three walks over this stretch to rack up a .500 on-base percentage.
Series History
It's been nothing short of pure dominance when the Owls have taken on the Knights. KSU has gathered a 8-0 series lead in a rivalry that begun in 2003. Last year, the Owls swept the Knights while outscoring them 13-3 over three games. Over the course of the all-time series, Kennesaw State has outscored Bellarmine 40-10 in eight games. This weekends series will mark just the second time they have faced off in Kennesaw with the last coming in 2021.
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 surpassing her prior total of 10.
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 52nd (out of 296) in the nation in total stolen bases with 52. That number is good for fourth in the Atlantic Sun. They are also 74th in the NCAA in stolen bases per game with 1.33.
Bennett's Blazing Through Hitters
Another year means another lockdown second half of the year for
Melanie Bennett. In her last 18 innings, she has accrued a 2.33 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 15 in the last five games. She also had not allowed a single home run in her three appearances.
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.
