By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (4-9, 0-0 CUSA) at Texas A&M Invitational
Location: College Station, Texas | Davis Diamond
Friday, Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m. vs. Saint Mary's (8-5, 0-0 WCC)
Friday, Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m. at #15 Texas A&M (10-6, 0-0 SEC)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 12:30 p.m. vs. Louisiana (11-6, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. at #15 Texas A&M
Sunday, March 1, 12 p.m. vs. Saint Mary's
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KENNESAW, Ga. – After picking up a win over Chattanooga, Kennesaw State softball heads to College Station for the Texas A&M Invitational with the No. 15 ranked Aggies, Saint Mary's and Louisiana.
The Owls defeated the Mocs, 3-1, at home on Wednesday night.
Alora Bevily tied the contest in the fourth inning before
Hannah Harvey gave KSU the lead in the fifth.
Macie Howes added an insurance run with a solo shot. It's her third-straight game with a homer.
Leah Jannakos tossed her second complete game of the season to improve to 4-0. She is the first Owl since 2020 to win her first four decisions.
It'll be a homecoming for
Selena Collins-Patterson, who returns to A&M for the first time as a head coach. She played four years there, earning Big 12 Player of the Year and All-American honors. She was named to the Texas A&M Hall of Fame in 2021.
Not in Her Howes
Macie Howes has set the tone for the Owls, batting .486 with five homers and 15 RBI this season. Against Chattanooga (2/25), she became the first player since Lexi Solorzano in 2021 to homer in three-straight games. The Louisville native had two three-hit games in KSU's wins over Miami (2/17) and Furman (2/21). Defensively, she's thrown six base stealers, placing herself second in program history with 29 runners caught stealing. Howes leads CUSA in OPS (1.430), is second in slugging percentage (.895) and ranks top five in batting average (.474) and on-base percentage (.535).
Greatest Hits
KSU made history against Furman (2/21), recording a DI-record 20 hits in its 16-7 victory.
Alora Bevily and
Hannah Harvey led the way with four hits each, becoming the first Owls to record four hits since 2024.
Ana Gore and
Macie Howes both had three RBI as Gore is the first player in program history to record two sacrifice flies in the same game. The Black and Gold also swiped five bags in the contest.
Leaning on Leah
The Owls have turned to junior
Leah Jannakos to be the ace in the circle. Her season started off with a bang, tossing 8.0 innings against GW (2/6). She picked up her first win at UNCW, throwing 2.2 scoreless out of the bullpen. Two complete games against Miami (2/17) and Chattanooga (2/25) gave the Black and Gold their first two home wins. Jannakos is the first Owl to win her first four decisions since Lindsey Kyte in 2020.
She's On Fire
Alora Bevily has been lighting it up for the Owls, going 8-for-10 in the last four games. She went a perfect 4-for-4 against Furman (2/21), becoming the first Owl since 2024 to tally four hits in a game. Her batting average has climbed from .240 to .400 in week, placing her 12th in the conference now. On the season, she ranks 7th in CUSA in defensive runs saved at +3.22.
A New Era
In 2026, the Owls will be led by
Selena Collins-Patterson. She's the seventh head coach in program history and first female to lead the Owls since Medra Ashmore in 1986. Collins-Patterson brings more than 22 years of coaching experience across all levels.
From 2011-13, she served as head coach at Trinity University. She guided the Tigers to a conference championship appearance all three years, receiving the 2012 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Under her tutelage, she guided two SCAC Players of the Year and 33 all-conference honorees. A Texas A&M Hall of Fame catcher, Collins-Patterson was a Big 12 Player of the Year, All-American, and team captain.
The Owls round out their coaching staff with the retention of pitching coach
Crystal Hampton, the promotion of
Daisy Hess and the hiring of
Mel Savala.
Leading the Way
Seniors
Macie Howes and
Ava Brooke Strickland have been named captains for the 2026 season. Howes has been a steady presence behind the dish, earning the program's first All-Conference USA honor last year, being named to the second team. Coming to KSU in 2025, Strickland made her impact on the Owls from day one, starting 32 games as a corner outfielder.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
