3/8/2025 | Softball | Box Score
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LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Kennesaw State Owls (8-16, 0-2 CUSA) battled through three scoreless innings before the Owls attempted a seventh-inning rally against the No. 24 Liberty Lady Flames (19-4, 2-0 CUSA), resulting in a 3-2 win for Liberty.
How It Happened
The Owls leadoff batter, Alora Bevily, struck out looking on a full count. Hannah Harvey was first on base after being walked. Lexie Shaver and Ana Gore both struck out swinging, leaving Harvey stranded on base.
In the bottom half, after a groundout to second, the next Lady Flame doubled to left center field. This was followed by a walk to first, putting runners on first and second. The Owls' defense held strong, with Kenley Hilleary retiring the next two batters, keeping the game scoreless.
In the top of the second inning, Ava Guzowski was walked to first, but Johnson hit into a double play, resulting in both Guzowski and Jojo Johnson being tagged out. Macie Howes then struck out swinging, ending the inning.
Liberty's bottom half of the second inning saw a groundout to second base, a flyout to center field, and a groundout to shortstop, closing the inning without any runs scored. The Owls' defense remained steady, preventing Liberty from gaining an early lead.
In the third inning, the Owls continued to face challenges at the plate. Madison Miller struck out looking on a full count, but Hardeman was walked to first. Bevily then grounded out to third with a sacrifice bunt, allowing Hardeman to advance to second. Then a grounded out to first base closes the inning without any runs scored.
Liberty's turn at bat began with a flyout to center field. The next batter grounded out to the pitcher, with Hilleary making a smooth underhand toss to first for the out. The inning concluded with a line out to third base, keeping the game scoreless through three innings.
Shaver lined out to second base to open the fourth inning, followed by Gore striking out swinging. Guzowski managed to touch base for the second time with a single down the right line, but Johnson flied out to right field, closing the inning without any runs.
Liberty opened the bottom of the fourth with a single to right field. The next two batters were retired by groundouts to shortstop and pitcher. Liberty got on the board with a single to left field, sending a runner across home plate. The runner on first then stole second, and another batter walked, putting runners on first and second. A runner was caught stealing at third to close the inning with a 1-0 advantage.
In the fifth inning, the Owls' bats remained quiet with a struck out, a grounded out to the pitcher, and strike out swinging.
Liberty started the bottom of the fifth with a single to right field then placed a pinch runner on base. A double to left center advanced the runner to third, putting them in scoring position. A groundout to first base gave the first out, but a single up the middle sent two runners home, extending Liberty's lead to 3-0. Taylor Daniel came in the circle for Kenley Hilleary. Another Liberty batter reached base on a fielder's choice, while the runner on first was out at second base. The runner advanced to second on a passed ball, and a groundout to second closed the fifth inning.
In the sixth inning, Bevily grounded out to the pitcher from a bunt. Harvey smashed one to the right center fence for a double. Emma Brinkman pinch-hit for Gore and walked to first, with Alex Russo pinch-running for Harvey. Guzowski was walked to first, loading the bases, but Johnson struck out swinging, leaving three runners on base.
Liberty's half of the sixth inning began with a strikeout looking on a full count. A single up the middle followed, prompting Olivia Tyson to come into the circle for Daniel. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner from first to second, who then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Another Lady Flame walked to first, putting runners on the corners. The inning closed with a groundout to second base.
In the seventh inning, Howes hit a double to the left fence. Reese Evans pinch-hit for Ty Hardeman and singled to third base, putting runners on the corners. Hardeman re-entered to run. Bevily grounded out to the pitcher, advancing Hardeman to second. Harvey then doubled with a line drive to the middle, sending Hardeman and Howes home to close the deficit to 3-2. Shaver struck out swinging to end the game with a final score of 3-2 in favor of The Lady Flames.
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The Owls will hit the dirt again Sunday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. for the final game in the series against Liberty. KSU will return home Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. to face West Georgia.
