By: Ariana Page
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Game 1: Friday, April 4 @ 6 p.m. ET
Game 2: Saturday, April 5 @ 3 p.m. ET
Game 3: Sunday, April 6 @ 12:30 p.m. ET
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Series Game Notes: Click here
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State makes their return to Bailey Park following a two-week road stint and is set to host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in another CUSA matchup. The series goes underway on Friday, April 4, with the first pitch set for 6 p.m.
Come dressed in your favorite Hawaiian themed gear for Friday's Hawaiian Night game. Fans can pick up leis when they enter.
Series History
Kennesaw State and Western Kentucky University have faced off five times between March 4, 2012, and February 20, 2021. The Owls lead the series with a 3-2 record. The most recent matchup took place on February 20, 2021, where KSU triumphed with a dramatic 5-4 victory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Owls surged in the seventh inning, scoring four unanswered runs to complete the comeback and secure the win. The largest margin of victory came on May 16, 2017, when the Owls advanced further into their post season by snagging a 2-1 victory in Atlanta, Georgia, during the National Invitational Softball Championship. That game marked Kennesaw State's first postseason appearance since transitioning to NCAA Division I in 2006. KSU drew the top seed in Region 5 and faced WKU in the opening round of the tournament. Overall, Kennesaw State has scored 13 runs across the five games, averaging 2.6 runs per game. KSU's home record stands at 1-0, with a neutral-site record of 2-2.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State has come out swinging to start the 2025 season, blasting 16 home runs through just 33 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, Lexie Shaver, and Macie Howes each had two home runs, with three other Owls contributing one each. The weekend series versus Middle Tennessee was highlighted by Macie Howes showcasing her speed, racing around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run after capitalizing on a throwing error. Guzowski has been a key to the offensive, hitting the first inside-the-park home run of the 2025 season, driving in 15 RBIs, tallying 52 total bases, and leading with 31 hits. Hardeman has been just as impactful, batting .210 with 16 RBIs. Shaver has added 14 RBIs with eight doubles while reaching base 42 times. Hannah Harvey helps lead with 29 hits while boasting a .264 batting average.
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 72.2 innings, posting a 3.56 ERA with 47 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 58.1 innings pitched while leading with 58 strikeouts on the season, only eight away from doubling last season's total. 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, sitting in third with 11 doubles. Gore is also ranked 20th in CUSA with 19 RBIs. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing 8th in CUSA with 63. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout, leading the conference with 81 assists. Ava Guzowski closely follows in third place in the conference with 77 assists. At first base, Lexie Shaver's 223 putouts place her 1st in the conference. As a team, the Owls are 4th in CUSA with 54 doubles. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's eight caught stealing places her 4th 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 are back on the road for another in-state midweek matchup, heading to Macon, Ga., to take on the Mercer Bears. The game is set for Wednesday, April 9, with the first pitch at 6 p.m.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
