By: Ariana Page
Location: El Paso, Texas
Game 1: Friday, April 25 @ 8 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 26 @ 5 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, April 27 @ 3 p.m.
Follow the Action: X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls are flying west for their final Conference USA road test, taking on the UTEP Miners in a three-game series in El Paso, Texas. The action begins Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET, continues Saturday at 5 p.m., and wraps up with the series finale Sunday at 3 p.m.
Series History
Kennesaw State and UTEP have met in the diamond twice, with both matchups taking place on back-to-back days in March 2006. The Owls swept the brief series, holding a 2-0 all-time record over the Miners. In both games, the Owls edged out a close 3-2 win to complete the sweep. The Owls averaged 3.0 runs per game during the two-game series. All matchups were played at neutral venues, and neither team has hosted the other on home turf. The 2006 series also marked the early years of Kennesaw State's transition to NCAA Division I competition.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State is off to a swinging start in 2025, launching 20 home runs to surpass last season's total, highlighted by a three-homer outburst against West Georgia on March 12. 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 two away from surpassing last season's total. Leading the power surge is Ava Guzowski and Ana Gore with four home runs. Macie Howes follows closely behind sending three to yard. Ty Hardeman, Lexie Shaver, and Hannah Harvey each had two home runs, with three other Owls contributing one each. The Owls have showcased their speed, notching two inside-the-park homeruns this season. Guzowski has been a key to the offensive, hitting the first inside-the-park home run of the 2025 season, driving in 19 RBIs, tallying 63 total bases, and 37 hits. Macie Howes followed during the weekend series versus Middle Tennessee, racing around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run after capitalizing on a throwing error. Hardeman has been just as impactful with 17 RBIs. Shaver has added 18 RBIs with 10 doubles while reaching 56 bases. Hannah Harvey leads with 43 hits while boasting a .285 batting average.
Stepping up to the Plate
Freshman Ana Gore has been a key offensive force for Kennesaw State, collecting 37 hits and leading in RBIs with 26, while adding power to the lineup with 14 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
Kennesaw State's pitching staff has been bringing the heat all season long. Leading the charge is Emma Friedel, a force in the circle with six complete games, 98.2 innings of work, and a staggering 102 strikeouts. Backing her up, Kenley Hilleary has racked up 79.0 innings, posting a 3.46 ERA with 48 strikeouts. Hilleary's dominance was on full display against FIU, where she fired 5.1 innings, punched out six batters, and shut the door with zero earned runs allowed. Leah Jannakos also delivered a standout performance against in-state ACC opponent Georgia Tech, holding them scoreless through four innings.
The Friedel Fire
Emma Friedel has been electric in the circle. She set the tone early against No. 10 Texas Tech, going the distance in her first complete game, allowing just three runs and striking out five against a powerhouse lineup. From there, Friedel turned up the heat. Against Georgia State, she fired a complete-game shutout, scattering only three hits, fanning six batters, and sealing a gritty 1-0 victory. She kept rolling at Chattanooga on March 18, throwing an extra-innings complete game. Friedel was lights-out, giving up just two hits, walking none, and striking out nine while facing 24 batters in a commanding performance. She kept the momentum going into Conference USA play, delivering a one-hit shutout to secure the Owls' first conference win of the season against Western Kentucky. Over two starts against the Hilltoppers, Friedel piled up 13.0 innings, allowed only seven hits, struck out 11, limited hitters to a .167 average, and hit a major milestone by recording her 100th career strikeout. Continuing her dominance in a midweek clash with Mercer, Friedel faced 23 batters, racked up six strikeouts, and allowed just two hits in another stellar outing. She went the distance once again, tossing 7.0 innings and setting a new season high with 10 strikeouts.
CUSA Control
Kennesaw State is making its presence known within Conference USA, the eighth-best conference in D1, with several players and the team as a whole placing on the leaderboard. Ana Gore has been a force at the plate, sitting in 4th with 14 doubles. Gore also sits in the top 25 in CUSA with 26 RBIs. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing 4th in CUSA with 102. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout as 2nd in the conference with 101 assists. Ava Guzowski closely follows in 4th place in the conference with 95 assists. At first base, Lexie Shaver is 2nd in the conference with 281 putouts. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's 11 caught stealing places her 2nd 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
The Owls return to Bailey Park for their final home series of the 2025 season, hosting New Mexico State in a meaningful three-game matchup. The series opener on Friday, May 2 will spotlight Mental Health Awareness Night, while the finale will honor the team's graduating seniors for Senior Night.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
