2/7/2025 | Softball | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
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CLEARWATER, Fla. – Kennesaw State (0-2) battled in both games but fell short in a season-opening doubleheader at the Eddie C. Moore Complex, dropping a 5-4 heartbreaker to Northwestern before being shut out 5-0 by Iowa. This opening day also marked the collegiate debuts for four out of six freshmen. Jolie Johnson showed up at short stop and Ana Gore out in the right field, while Taylor Daniel and Jenna Chase made their first steps into the circle when faced by the Hawkeyes.
Game 1: Kennesaw State 4, Northwestern 5
The Owls wasted no time getting on the board in the bottom of the first. Hannah Harvey roped a one-out double down the left-field line to spark the offense. Ava Guzowski followed by drilling a ground-rule double to left, bringing Harvey home for the first run of the season. Moments later, Ana Gore laced a single into right field allowing Guzowski to score and giving KSU a 2-0 lead.
Northwestern responded with a run in the second and took control in the third, using a bases-loaded double by Emma Raye to bring home two runs before tacking on another to go up 4-2.
The Owls threatened in the sixth, cutting the deficit to one. Ava Strickland led off with a single before advancing to third on a hard-hit single by Ty Hardeman. With two runners on, Ana Gore delivered once again, sending a line drive up the middle to score Strickland. A wild pitch allowed Hardeman to advance to third, setting up another run when Alex Russo, pinch-running for Gore, stole second, drawing a throw that led Hardeman home to make it 4-4.
The Wildcats managed to push across a crucial insurance run in the seventh, and despite bringing a runner on in the bottom of the inning, KSU couldn't complete the comeback.
Gore went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Guzowski and Harvey each recorded an extra-base hit in the close loss.
Game 2: Kennesaw State 0, Iowa 5
The nightcap was a pitcher's duel, with KSU starter Kenley Hilleary keeping Iowa off the board through four innings. However, the Hawkeyes broke through in the fifth, stringing together a series of hits to post a five-run frame. Allyssa Ramos delivered the biggest blow with a two-run double to center, and a sacrifice fly from Brianna Johnson added another run.
Despite the tough loss, the game featured the debut of freshman pitchers Taylor Daniel and Jenna Chase. Daniel entered late in the fifth and worked through a tough inning, allowing just one earned run. Chase took over in the sixth and delivered a scoreless frame, showing up for her first collegiate appearance.
The Owls' offense struggled against Iowa ace Jalen Adams, who allowed just one hit, a single from Ana Gore in the fourth, while striking out 10 batters.
On Deck
Kennesaw State will look to bounce back on Saturday Feb. 8 when they face Penn State at 3 p.m. followed by Pittsburgh at 6 p.m.
