Follow the Action: X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – In a dramatic 13-inning showdown on Senior Day, the Kennesaw State Owls left everything on the field in their 2025 season finale, ultimately falling just short in a 5-4 heartbreaker to the New Mexico State Aggies on Sunday afternoon at Bailey Park.
In a record-breaking performance, Emma Friedel shattered multiple records and climbed the Conference USA leaderboards. She set the CUSA and KSU single-game record with 15 strikeouts and pitched a complete 13 innings, marking the NCAA's third-highest total for innings pitched in a game. Her 248-pitch outing also set KSU program records for most batters faced (57) and matched the longest game in team's D1 history.
How It Happened
Kennesaw State took an early lead in the first inning. Madison Miller reached base on an error, then Ava Guzowski delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Miller. Lexie Shaver extended the lead with a two-out double down the left field line, bringing Guzowski home and putting KSU ahead 2-0.
The Aggies responded with a solo leadoff homer in the second and another in the fourth to even the game at 2-2.
The Owls looked to reclaim the lead in the fourth when Shaver doubled for the second time, but she was stranded on third. They found their spark again in the sixth as Shaver came through again, this time blasting a two-run homer to left to tie the game at 4-4.
The Owls had their best opportunity to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with no outs. But their momentum was cut short when Alex Russo was thrown out at home, halting the scoring threat.
NM State took the 5-4 lead in the top of the 13th inning with a run-scoring double to left-center, sealing the series for the Aggies and their spot in the 2025 Conference USA Softball Championship.
Quick Hits
- KSU outhit NM State 11-9 and stranded 13 Aggies on base.
- Lexie Shaver led the offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, and three RBIs.
- Jojo Johnson dominated with three sacrifice bunts to advance runners.
- This is the first time the Owls have reached 13 innings since 2023 when they faced Samford (4/26).
- Emma Friedel tossed a gritty complete-game effort, going all 13 innings in the circle. Her performance ranks as the 3rd longest outing in all of NCAA softball this season.
- Friedel recorded a new season high with 15 strikeouts, also setting a new CUSA single-game record, topping Liberty's Elena Escobar's 13.
- Friedel faced 57 batters, breaking the previous team record of 49 (Samford, 4/26/23).
- Friedel ranks 7th in CUSA for complete games (8), 8th in innings pitched (114), 4th in total strikeouts (117), 3rd in strikeouts looking (33), and 2nd for lowest opponent batting average at .202.
On Deck
The Owls will return to action next season for their 2026 campaign.
