By: Ariana Page
Kennesaw State (5-12, 0-0 Conference USA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Friday, Feb. 28 @ 7 p.m. – vs. Rider
Saturday, March 1 @ 1 p.m. – vs. St. John's
Saturday, March 1 @ 7 p.m. – vs. Saint Louis
Sunday, March 2 @ 3 p.m. – vs. ETSU
Sunday, March 2 @ 5:30 p.m. – vs. Rider
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State is set to host its third and final home tournament of the season, the Kennesaw State Tournament, from February 28 to March 2 at Bailey Park. The Owls will face Rider, St. John's, Saint Louis, and East Tennessee State, starting with a 7 p.m. matchup versus the Broncs.
Series History
Kennesaw State and Rider University have met once before in a doubleheader, with KSU holding a perfect 2-0 record in the series. Their first matchup took place on February 28, 2020, where Kennesaw State claimed a 2-0 victory. Later that day, they secured a 6-3 win, marking their largest margin of victory in the series.
Kennesaw State holds 4-2 all-time record in the series against Saint Louis. The two teams first met on February 25, 2012, with Saint Louis claiming a narrow 4-3 victory. Kennesaw State responded with a four-game win streak, including their largest margin of victory, a commanding 10-4 win on March 9, 2019. In their most recent matchup on March 10, 2019, Kennesaw State secured a 6-3 victory at home.
This weekend will mark the first-time matchup between Kennesaw State and St. John's University.
Kennesaw State has a lengthy history against East Tennessee State University, holding a 20-7 all-time record in the series. The two teams first met on March 18, 2006, with Kennesaw State earning a 4-0 victory. Kennesaw State's largest margin of victory came on March 30, 2012, with a dominant 9-0 win. In their most recent matchup on February 18, 2024, Kennesaw State fell in a tightly contested 8-6 battle at home, marking their second consecutive loss in the series. Over their last ten meetings, Kennesaw State holds a 7-3 advantage.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State has come out swinging to start the 2025 season, blasting 10 home runs through just 16 games, including three that landed from this past weekend during our I-75 Challenge. The Owls are only eight away from surpassing last season's total. Leading the power surge are Ana Gore, Ty Hardeman, Ava Guzowski, and Lexie Shaver, each with two home runs, while Ava Brooke Strickland and Macie Howes have both chipped in one. Guzowski has been a key offensive contributor, hitting the first inside the park homerun on the 2025 season, driving in six RBIs and tallying 22 total bases. Hardeman has been just as impactful, batting .262 while leading the Owls with 13 RBIs. Shaver has added six RBIs while reaching bases 24 times.
Stepping up to the Plate
Freshman Ana Gore has been a key offensive force for Kennesaw State, leading the team with a .333 batting average while collecting 16 hits and 11 RBIs. She has added power to the lineup with six doubles and showcased her consistency with back-to-back homerun hits against Georgia State (2/18). Transfer Ava Brooke Strickland has also made an impact early in the season with being on a four-game hitting streak. Strickland is batting a .300 average with seven RBIs. She has recorded 12 hits and became the first Owl to notch a triple this season. With four new Owls in the lineup, their growing team development will only strengthen their power at the plate as the season progresses.
Inside the Circle
The pitching staff has been a key factor. Kenley Hilleary has logged a team-high 32.2 innings, posting a 3.86 ERA with 19 strikeouts. Emma Friedel delivered a complete-game shutout against Georgia State. Over seven innings, she allowed just three hits while striking out six and holding the Panthers scoreless in a 1-0 victory. She navigated through 28 batters, capping off a strong stretch for Friedel. She now boasts a total of 24.2 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts on the season. Leah Jannakos has also chipped in valuable innings, allowing just 13 earned runs across 24.1 frames. She delivered a standout performance against in-state ACC opponent Georgia Tech, holding them scoreless through four innings.
CUSA Control
Kennesaw State is making its presence known within Conference USA, with several players and the team as a whole placing on the leaderboard. Ana Gore has been a force at the plate, tying for first in the conference with six doubles and ranking among the top ten with 28 total bases. Ty Hardeman's 13 RBIs keep her tied for fifth. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing seventh in CUSA with 22. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout, leading the conference and ranking sixth nationally with 42 assists. Ava closely follows in second place in the conference with 35 assists. At first base, Lexie Shaver's 102 putouts placed her second in the conference. As a team, the Owls are fourth in CUSA with 22 doubles and third with three triples. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's 17 caught stealing places her within the NCAA's top 20, highlighting her ability shut down opposing teams' attempts to steal bases.
Power Four Proof
Kennesaw State has proven they can compete with some of the nation's top programs, going toe-to-toe with multiple Power Four opponents this season. The Owls struck first against No. 20 Northwestern, holding the lead through two innings and keeping it a one-run game until the end. Against Kentucky, KSU battled to a tie through three innings, showcasing their resilience against the Wildcats. The Owls also put up strong fights against Iowa and Penn State, while their defense held No. 10 Texas Tech and Pitt to just a few runs in hard-fought contests. Most recently, the Owls' pitching staff held Georgia Tech to four scoreless innings, demonstrating their ability to contain ACC-powered offenses.
On Deck
Kennesaw State is set to open Conference USA action against former ASUN rival Liberty, marking the Owls' first-ever CUSA series. The Owls will travel to Lynchburg, Va., to face the Flames from March 7-9.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
