By: Ariana Page
Kennesaw State (9-21, 0-6 Conference USA)
Location: Huntsville, Texas
Game 1: Friday, March 21 @ 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, March 22 @ 4 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, March 23 @ 1:30 p.m.
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State (9-21, 0-6 Conference USA) takes flight to Huntsville, Texas to continue their seven-game road stretch at Sam Houston (14-15, 3-3 Conference USA). The CUSA series kicks off on Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at Bearkat Softball Complex.
Series History
Kennesaw State and Sam Houston have faced off four times between March 6, 2008, and March 9, 2022. The Owls tightly lead the series 2-1. The last matchup took place on March 9, 2022, where Kennesaw State triumphed with a 13-4 victory. In that game, Kennesaw State scored consistently, with a big three-run seventh inning sealing the win. The first matchup occurred on March 6, 2008, with Kennesaw State delivering a 3-0 shutout win in Clearwater, Fla. KSU's neutral record stands at 1-0, while having a 1-1 record in Huntsville, Texas. Kennesaw State has scored a total of 20 runs across three games, averaging 6.67 runs per game.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State has come out swinging to start the 2025 season, blasting 15 home runs through just 26 games, including three that landed on March 12 when the Owls faced West Georgia. Notably, Jojo Johnson smashed a walk-off grand slam for the first time in Owl's history since the 2023 season, marking her first collegiate home run. The Owls are only three away from surpassing last season's total. Leading the power surge is Ava Guzowski with four home runs, while Ana Gore follows closely behind with three. Ty Hardeman and Lexie Shaver each have two home runs, with four other Owls contributing one each. 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 43 total bases. Hardeman has been just as impactful, batting .224 with 16 RBIs. Shaver has added 13 RBIs with five doubles while reaching base 35 times. Hannah Harvey leads the Owls with 27 hits while boasting a .303 batting average, making her the 3rd toughest to strikeout in the conference.
Stepping up to the Plate
Freshman Ana Gore has been a key offensive force for Kennesaw State, collecting 26 hits and leading in RBIs with 19, while adding power to the lineup with 11 doubles. She showcased her consistency with back-to-back home runs against Georgia State on February 18. 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 also 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 57.1 innings, posting a 3.42 ERA with 38 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 53.2 innings pitched while leading with 54 strikeouts on the season. Friedel took the mound with authority at Chattanooga when the Owls faced the Mocs on March 18. She pitched a complete game through extra innings, allowing only two hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. She maintained control throughout, facing 24 batters. Leah Jannakos also 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, leading the conference with 11 doubles, ranking 15th in the NCAA. Gore is also ranked 13th in CUSA with 19 RBIs. Ty Hardeman's 16 RBIs keeps her in the top 25. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing 6th in CUSA with 54. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout, leading the conference and ranking 16th nationally with 70 assists. Ava Guzowski closely follows closely in second place in the conference with 62 assists and 22nd with four homeruns. At first base, Lexie Shaver's 184 putouts placed her 1st in the conference. As a team, the Owls are fourth in CUSA with 44 doubles. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's seven caught stealing places her 3rd in CUSA.
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
After the series with the Bearkats, the Black and Gold will have a week off before heading to Murfreesboro, TN, to face Middle Tennessee in another CUSA series starting Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
