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Jacksonville, Ala. – A four-run fifth inning made the difference as the Kennesaw State Owls dropped a hard-fought 5-2 decision to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Sunday afternoon at Jana McGinnis Field. Despite outhitting the Gamecocks, the Owls couldn't overcome Jax State. 

The Owls showed determination throughout the game, staying within striking distance and tallying seven hits. However, a pivotal frame for the Gamecocks proved too much to overcome in the series finale. 

How It Happened 

The Owls threatened in the first, after Hannah Harvey garnered the first hit of the day with a double to left center field, but the Gamecocks escaped the jam with a crucial strikeout. 

Jacksonville State opened the scoring in the second inning, taking advantage of a defensive miscue by KSU to bring home the first run of the game. 

Kennesaw State then found momentum in the fourth inning. Ava Guzowski worked a walk to get things started, and Jojo Johnson executed a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position. Lexie Shaver kept the pressure on with a single up the middle, pushing Guzowski to third. Shaver then swiped second base to set up a prime scoring opportunity. Ana Gore delivered in the clutch, lining a two-run single up the middle to bring home both Guzowski and Shaver, taking a 2-1 lead. 

However, Jacksonville State answered decisively in the bottom of the fifth. Jax State capitalized as a bases-loaded walk brought in the tying run, followed by a sacrifice fly to left field that gave them the lead. An RBI double down the left field line and a single capped the four-run frame, giving the Gamecocks a 5-2 advantage. 

From there, KSU continued to battle, putting runners on in the sixth inning, but Jax State's bullpen closed the door to seal the 5-2 victory. 

Quick Hits 

• Emma Friedel racked up eight strikeouts, closing out each of the first three innings with strikeouts.  
• Across nine innings throughout the series, Friedel had 11 strikeouts, allowing only eight hits.  
• Ana Gore had multi-RBIs games in back-to-back games this series. She continues to pace the Owls in RBIs (23) and doubles (12). 
• Gore stretched her hitting streak to four games. 
• Lexie Shaver crossed the plate in two of three games of the series. 
• Three Owls had a multi-hit game. 
• Owls outhit the Gamecocks 7-6. 

On Deck 

The Owls return home to Kennesaw for their third matchup of the season against Georgia State on Tuesday, April 15, with first pitch set for 6 p.m.