3/1/2025 | Softball | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score  
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KENNESAW, Ga. – A day of contrasting fortunes unfolded for the Kennesaw State Owls as they split their second day of the Kennesaw State Tournament. The Owls faced a tough challenge against the St. John's Red Storm, falling 5-2, but rallied for a walk-off 7-6 victory in extra innings over the Saint Louis Billikens. 

Game 1: St. John's 5, Owls 2 

In the opening frame, Red Storm's leadoff batter drew a walk and swiftly stole second, putting early pressure on Owls. Despite the additional walk, Leah Jannakos managed to keep the Red Storm off the scoreboard. 

In the bottom of the first, the Owls threatened to score. Hannah Harvey drew a walk, and Ava Guzowski followed with a single, placing runners on first and second. Ava Brooke Strickland reached first on a wild pitch after striking out, loading the bases. However, a pop-out to first ended the inning, leaving three runners stranded. 

The Red Storm broke through in the second inning. They placed runners on first and second, and a costly error on a single allowed a run to score. St. John's then capitalized with a two-RBI double, extending their lead. A passed ball and a stolen base added another run, pushing the Red Storm's advantage to 4-0. 

The Owls responded in the bottom of the second. Ty Hardeman singled and stole second, while Lexie Shaver drew a walk. Harvey delivered an RBI single, driving Hardeman home and narrowing the gap to 4-1. 

In the bottom of the third, Strickland singled and stole second, but the Owls were unable to capitalize. The Red Storm added an insurance run in the top of the fourth, extending their lead. 

The Owls struggled to generate consistent offense in the fourth and fifth innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Macie Howes doubled down the left line, scoring pinch-runner Alex Russo, who had entered for Jojo Johnson. Despite the late rally, the Owls couldn't overcome the Red Storm's early lead, falling 5-2. 

Game 2: Kennesaw 7, Saint Louis 6 (8 Innings) 

The second game was a dramatic contest, with the Owls staging a thrilling comeback victory in extra innings against the Billikens. In the bottom of the first, Ava Brooke Strickland doubled to right-center. Hannah Harvey reached on a fielder's choice, and Strickland scored while Harvey's stole second base. Ava Guzowski then singled, driving Harvey home, giving the Owls a 2-0 lead. 

Billikens flipped the script in the top of the second, unleashing a five-run rally. With a sharp double to center field, Saint Louis immediately placed a runner in scoring position. A single through the middle brought that runner home, initiating the scoring burst. A wild pitch then advanced the runner from first, and two consecutive walks loaded the bases. With the bases loaded, a crucial single to right-center field drove in two more runs, extending the Billikens' lead. An RBI double down the left line then capped off the inning, bringing home the final two runs and transforming a 2-0 deficit into a commanding 5-2 advantage for the Billikens. 

In the bottom of the third, Guzowski launched a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 5-3. In the bottom of the fourth, Macie Howes walked, and Strickland singled. Harvey then delivered a crucial two-RBI single, tying the game at 5-5. 

Both teams' pitchers settled in, keeping the game scoreless through the later innings. In the top of the seventh, the Billikens took a 6-5 lead after a series of walks and a double. In the bottom of the seventh, with two Owls on base, Guzowski hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, sending it into extra innings. 

In the top of the eighth, with the tie-breaker rule in effect, the Billikens placed a runner on second. Kenley Hilleary worked through the inning, stranding the runner. In the bottom of the eighth, Madison Miller was placed on second. Bevily laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Miller to third, and Lexie Shaver delivered the game-winning RBI single, securing a 7-6 victory for the Owls. 

Quick Hits: 

• Ava Guzowski leads the Owls in homeruns after a solo homer in the second game.  
• Lexie Shaver delivers the game two-winning hit in extra innings.  
• Ava Brooke Strickland extended her streak with three more hits, marking her seventh straight game with a hit. 
• Kenley Hilleary allowed only one hit off of six innings in game two.  
• Taylor Daniel makes her first career start in the circle.  
• Alora Bevily makes her first appearance in the outfield.  

On Deck: 

Bailey Park will be staged for the final day of the Kennesaw State Tournament on March 2, as the Owls take on ETSU at 3 p.m. and Rider at 5:30 p.m.