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Kennesaw, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls split Saturday's doubleheader against Western Kentucky at Bailey Park. After a tough 7-1 defeat in Game 1, the Owls bounced back with resilience in Game 2, securing a thrilling 1-0 win behind Emma Friedel's stellar performance in the circle and a clutch fifth-inning RBI single from Reese Evans. The victory marked KSU's first Conference USA win of the season.
The doubleheader showcased the Owls' fight on both sides of the ball. Game 1 featured several scoring opportunities that fell just short, while Game 2 flipped the script as Kennesaw State capitalized in a tight pitching duel to earn the split.
Game 1: WKU 7, KSU 1
Western Kentucky wasted no time getting on the board in the opening frame. Following a leadoff walk and a sharp single, the Hilltoppers launched a three-run home run to left, giving the Hilltoppers an early 3-0 lead.
The Owls started to build momentum in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a Hilltopper miscue to put runners on the corners with one out. Kennesaw State loaded the bases after Ava Brooke Strickland was hit by a pitch, but WKU managed to escape the jam with a groundout to shortstop, halting the Owls' scoring threat.
Defensively, KSU flashed some leather in the third inning as Ava Guzowski turned an impressive double play to record the first two outs and keep the Hilltoppers off the board.
The fifth inning proved to be decisive as WKU tacked on four more runs. Another home run, this time with one on, brought in two runs. A sharp single to left and an errant throw allowed a runner to score from first. Another error brought in the final run of the inning.
Kennesaw State refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the fifth, Hannah Harvey ripped a double off the left field fence, putting runners in scoring position at second and third. With the bases loaded and Jojo Johnson at the plate, the Owls looked poised for a rally. Johnson managed to send Ty Hardeman home with a sacrifice fly to scratch on a run during the frame, cutting into the deficit 7-1.
With the bats going silent in the final two innings, the Hilltoppers sealed a 7-1 victory.
Game 2: KSU 1, WKU 0
Emma Friedel made a statement early, recording three quick strikeouts in the first inning, doubling her total strikeouts from last season.
Friedel notched her fourth strikeout of the game in the second inning, marking a milestone with her 100th career strikeout. The Owls found themselves in a bases-loaded jam, but WKU was silenced when Ana Gore made a crucial play, racing in to catch a foul out for the third and final out of the inning.
The fifth inning started with quick action as the Hilltoppers recorded their only hit of the game with a leadoff double. However, the Owls swiftly shut down the threat, turning a crucial double play started by Ava Guzowski. The play saw the runner on first caught in a 3-2-1-6 rundown, with the Owls getting both outs to end the inning and extinguish any momentum.
The pitchers' duel remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. Lexie Shaver sparked the Owls' offense with a perfectly timed double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Gore. Reese Evans followed, delivering the breakthrough moment, ripping an RBI single to bring Shaver home for a 1-0 lead, the Owls' first lead of the series.
Friedel continued her dominance, keeping WKU quiet through the first six innings and slamming the door in the seventh to seal the Owls' 1-0 victory. She finished with six strikeouts and just one hit allowed in a shutout complete-game performance.
The win snapped a conference skid for KSU and gave them a jolt of momentum heading into the rest of the season.
Quick Hits
- Hannah Harvey delivered a standout performance in Game 1, notching a multi-hit game with a key double. She continues to lead the Owls with 34 hits on the season.
- Reese Evans delivered a clutch RBI single in Game 2, driving in Lexie Shaver for the Owls' first CUSA win. Shaver, who leads the team with 19 runs, crossed home plate, while Evans recorded her first RBI of the season.
- Emma Friedel put on a dominating performance in Game 2, throwing a complete shutout game with just one hit allowed. She also reached a career milestone, recording her 100th career strikeout and marking her fourth complete game of the season.
- Ava Guzowski was a defensive powerhouse, sparking two critical double plays during the doubleheader to keep the Hilltoppers at bay.
- Guzowski was a consistent presence at the plate, reaching base three out of four times and continuing to lead the Owls with 53 total bases.
- Lexie Shaver put numbers across the board with one hit, one run, one double off five hits throughout the day.
- Macie Howes has recorded 3+ putouts in the last eight consecutive games.
Head Coach Tripp MacKay Postgame
"Emma Friedel threw a great game, and it was fun watching her compete. She kept us in the game and gave the offense a chance to score. Also, for her to get her 100th strike out is a great accomplishment. The team battled hard and manufactured a run to get the win."
On Deck
The Black and Gold will aim to carry their momentum on the road as they head to Macon, Ga., to face the Mercer Bears on Wednesday, April 9, at 6 p.m. This marks their first midweek game in three weeks.
