By: Ariana Page
Kennesaw State (8-17, 0-3 Conference USA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Wednesday, March 12 @ 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
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Series Game Notes: Click here
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State (8-17, 0-3 Conference USA) is set to take on the West Georgia Wolves (8-12, 0-0 ASUN) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. This season marks the Wolves' debut in Division I and their first year in the ASUN Conference, where the Owls previously competed before moving to CUSA.
Series History
Kennesaw State has a perfect record against West Georgia boasting a 37-0 series lead. The teams first clashed in 1991, which was Kennesaw State's inaugural year of fast-pitch softball. Kennesaw State triumphed in that initial game with a 9-1 win. Their last encounter was on April 12, 2005, where Kennesaw State clinched a 4-2 victory. The Owls' home record is an impeccable 21-0, and they are equally impressive on the road with a 16-0 record. In total, Kennesaw State has racked up 397 runs in these matchups, averaging 10.73 runs per game. Kennesaw State has not faced West Georgia since moving up to Division I in 2006.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State has come out swinging to start the 2025 season, blasting 12 home runs through just 22 games, including three that landed this past weekend during the I-75 Challenge. The Owls are only six away from surpassing last season's total. Leading the power surge is Ava Guzowski with four home runs, while Ana Gore, Ty Hardeman, and Lexie Shaver each have two home runs. Ava Brooke Strickland and Macie Howes have both chipped in one. Guzowski has been a key to the offensive, hitting the first inside-the-park home run of the 2025 season, driving in 13 RBIs and tallying 39 total bases. Hardeman has been just as impactful, batting .232 while helping lead the Owls with 14 RBIs. Shaver has added 11 RBIs with five doubles while reaching base 32 times. Hannah Harvey has been on an impressive eight-game hitting streak, further bolstering the Owls' offensive lineup.
Stepping up to the Plate
Freshman Ana Gore has been a key offensive force for Kennesaw State, collecting 20 hits and leading in RBIs with 15 RBIs while adding power to the lineup with eight doubles. She showcased her consistency with back-to-back home runs against Georgia State on February 18. Transfer Ava Brooke Strickland leads the team with a .320 batting average, recording 16 hits and seven RBIs, and becoming the first Owl to notch a triple this season. Freshmen Jojo Johnson and Gore have been the only freshmen to start every game this season, and are two of the five players to have started every game. Alora Bevily has been perfect on the base paths, going 4-for-4 in stolen bases. 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 for Kennesaw State. Kenley Hilleary has logged a team-high 49.2 innings, posting a 3.24 ERA with 30 strikeouts. Emma Friedel delivered a complete-game shutout against Georgia State, allowing just three hits while striking out six and holding the Panthers scoreless in a 1-0 victory. Friedel now boasts a total of 41.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts on the season. Leah Jannakos 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, sitting in third in the conference with eight doubles and ranking among the top 20 with 15 RBIs. Ty Hardeman's 14 RBIs keep her in the top 25. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing ninth in CUSA with 37. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout, leading the conference and ranking 12th nationally with 59 assists. Ava closely follows in third place in the conference with 50 assists and 15th with four homeruns. At first base, Lexie Shaver's 150 putouts placed her first in the conference. As a team, the Owls are fourth in CUSA with 37 doubles. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's seven caught stealing places her within the NCAA's top 25 and leads the conference.
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
The Black and Gold will remain at Bailey Park for the weekend to host FIU starting Friday, March 14 at 6 p.m.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
