By: Ariana Page
Location: Macon, Ga.
Game: Wednesday, April 9 @ 6 p.m.
Follow the Action: X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State is hitting the road for another in-state clash as they take on the Mercer Bears. Fresh off their first CUSA win, the Owls are ready to bring the momentum and keep the streak alive. The first pitch is set for Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at Sikes Field.
Series History
The rivalry between Kennesaw State and Mercer University has spanned over three decades, with the Owls leading the series at 25-11. The first meeting took place on April 8, 1991, when KSU won 6-4. Since then, the teams have faced off numerous times, with KSU claiming victory in six of their last ten matchups. The most recent showdown was on March 13, 2024, when the Owls triumphed 6-4 at home in Kennesaw, Georgia. KSU built momentum with a four-run fifth inning and held on to secure the win. Kennesaw State has maintained a perfect home record of 17-0 against Mercer, showcasing their dominance on their home turf. The Owls have averaged 4.94 runs per game over the 36-match series, totaling 178 runs.
A Smashing Start
Kennesaw State has come out swinging to start the 2025 season, blasting 17 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, Hannah Harvey and Macie Howes each had two home runs, with two 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 16 RBIs, tallying 52 total bases, and 32 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, batting .213 with 16 RBIs. Shaver has added 16 RBIs with nine doubles while reaching 46 bases. Hannah Harvey leads with 34 hits while boasting a .279 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
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 four complete games, 76.1 innings of work, and a staggering 74 strikeouts. Backing her up, Kenley Hilleary racking up 72.0 innings, posting a 3.31 ERA with 46 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 league 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.
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 6th with 11 doubles. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing 6th in CUSA with 74. Defensively, Ava Guzowski closely follows in 2nd place in the conference with 85 assists, while Jojo Johnson sits in 3rd with 84. At first base, Lexie Shaver's 236 putouts place her 2nd in the conference. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's nine caught stealing places her 3rd 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 will continue their road trip to Jacksonville, Ala. as they take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The CUSA series will begin on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. ET.
Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.
