2/14/2025 | Softball | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score 

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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State (2-5) kicked off day one of the Kennesaw State Tournament with two strong performances at Bailey Park, defeating Northern Kentucky 5-3 and rolling past Morehead State 8-3. The Owls powered their way to victory behind home runs from Lexie Shaver and Ty Hardeman, who both delivered clutch shots to fuel KSU's offense. 

Game 1: Kennesaw State 5, Northern Kentucky 3 

The Owls struck early in the first inning as Ava Guzowski singled through the right side with two outs. Ana Gore followed with an RBI by doubling to center field, giving KSU a quick 1-0 lead. 

Lexie Shaver extended the lead in the third with a solo home run to left field, but Northern Kentucky responded with two runs in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on a fielding error and back-to-back singles. 

With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, Kennesaw State's offense came alive. Gore was hit by a pitch and stole second before Jojo Johnson singled through the right side to put runners on the corners. Briana Bumbalough came through with an RBI single up the middle to break the tie. Moments later, Ty Hardeman ripped a two-run single down the left-field line, scoring Johnson and pinch-runner Madison Miller to give KSU a 5-2 advantage. 

The Norse added a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly, but Emma Friedel shut the door to secure the Owls' first win of the season. 

Game 2: Kennesaw State 8, Morehead State 3 

Morehead State took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after a pair of singles and a defensive miscue in left field. However, Kennesaw State wasted no time responding. 

In the third, the Owls strung together key hits to take the lead. With one out, Ava Strickland singled to left, and Emma Brinkman followed with a double. Hardeman laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to drive in Strickland before Shaver lifted a sacrifice fly to right, bringing home Brinkman. Hannah Harvey capped off the inning with an RBI single up the middle, giving KSU a 3-2 advantage. 

The Owls' offense continued to surge in the fourth. After a leadoff walk, Brinkman crushed an RBI double to center field. Hardeman followed with a two-run homer, extending the lead to 6-2.  

Shaver delivered the knockout punch in the sixth with her second homer of the day, a two-run blast to left. 

On the mound, Jenna Chase made her first collegiate start, working 2.1 innings before Kenley Hilleary and Olivia Tyson combined to finish the game, holding the Eagles scoreless over the final three frames. 

Quick Hits 

• Lexie Shaver crushed two home runs and drove in four RBIs across both games. 
• Ty Hardeman powered a two-run homer and collected three RBIs in Game 2. 
• Emma Brinkman delivered two doubles and knocked in two RBIs, after making her first collegiate start behind the plate. 
• Freshman Jenna Chase made her first collegiate start, while Briana Bumbalough made her first starting appearance as the designated player.  
• Kennesaw State secured its first wins in CUSA. 

On Deck 

The Owls will aim to keep their momentum going into Saturday, Feb. 15, as they take on Creighton at 4 p.m. followed by a second matchup against Morehead State at 7 p.m. 

Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.