By: Ariana Page
Kennesaw State (3-7, 0-0 Conference USA)
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Tuesday, Feb. 18 @ 3 p.m. – at Georgia State
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KENNESAW, Ga. – The in-state rivalry between Kennesaw State and Georgia State will reignite on Tuesday afternoon as the Owls (3-7) travel to Atlanta to face the Panthers (1-9) at Georgia State. This matchup marks the 49th all-time meeting between the two teams. Please note that the game time has been changed from 6 PM to 3 PM.
Series History
Kennesaw State has a competitive history against Georgia State, holding a 27-22 all-time record in the series. The two teams first met on April 10, 1991, with Georgia State securing a 3-0 victory. Since then, the Owls have put together several dominant stretches, including their longest winning streak of seven games from 1993 to 2001. In their most recent matchup on April 17, 2024, KSU fell in a narrow 4-3 battle on the road in Atlanta. Over their last ten meetings, the Owls hold a slight edge with a 6-4 record. Notable wins include a commanding 15-0 victory on April 24, 2001, marking their largest margin of victory in the series. KSU looks to bounce back after two consecutive losses in the rivalry and build on their strong away record (14-10) against the Panthers.
Power Winning Weekend
Kennesaw State celebrated a weekend full of wins by securing its first three wins of the season, marking their first victories in Conference USA. During the weekend, Kennesaw State faced Northern Kentucky, Morehead State, and Creighton. Emma Friedel pitched a total of 9.2 innings, striking out eight, while Leah Jannakos secured the save with 1.1 scoreless innings. Kenley Hilleary earned her first win of the season by pitching 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three. Olivia Tyson also pitched her first complete game with the Owls.
Ava Guzowski hit a home run and drove in a total of four RBIs, with Ana Gore adding another six hits and six RBIs over the weekend. Lexie Shaver and Ty Hardeman also contributed, with both Owls smashing two homeruns, giving the Owls a total of five homeruns after the weekend. Emma Brinkman made her first career start behind the plate and added three hits, all three being doubles. Ava Brooke Strickland recorded six hits and is the first Owl to record a triple on the season.
Swinging Fast
Despite a tough start, several Owls have provided offensive sparks. Guzowski has been a bright spot, smashing one homerun, driving in five RBIs, and tallying sixteen total bases. Shaver has contributed significantly with a .200 batting average, hitting two home runs and driving in six RBIs. Hardeman has also been impactful, batting .304 with two home runs and leads the Owls with nine RBIs.
Stepping Up to the Plate
Gore leads the team with a .323 batting average, collecting ten hits and eight RBIs. Gore has added power to the lineup, recording four doubles. Strickland has shown promise early in the season, batting .333 with two RBIs. The newcomers continue to develop, and their contributions will be crucial as the season progresses.
Inside the Circle
Kennesaw State's pitching staff has been a key factor. Hilleary has logged a team-high 19.2 innings, posting a 2.14 ERA with ten strikeouts. Friedel has been a standout performer in the circle, holding opponents to a .219 batting average while maintaining a 4.36 ERA. Jannakos has also chipped in valuable innings, allowing just five earned runs across 9.1 frames. Tyson has contributed with 10.1 innings pitched.
On Deck
The Owls are set to host the I-75 Tournament this weekend, beginning on Friday, February 21. They are scheduled to face Memphis, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, and Kentucky.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
