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WILMINGTON, N.C. – Kennesaw State softball head coach
Selena Collins-Patterson earns her first victory as an Owl with a 4-2 win over UNCW. The Black and Gold scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the game.
Rylee Limberger made her first career start, going 4.1 innings with three punchouts.
Leah Jannakos came in relief after an eight-inning outing yesterday.
Macie Howes recorded three RBI including the go-ahead run in the seventh.
How It Happened
The Owls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. With runners in scoring position, Howes ripped a double over the left fielder's head.
Ana Gore got on base the following at-bat, but her and Howes couldn't score.
Limberger faced early pressure in the bottom of the second. The leadoff batter was 60 feet from home with only one out. The freshman settled in, recording back-to-back outs where she froze the final batter to end the inning.
Despite one hit making it past the infield, the Seahawks tied the contest in fourth. The inning started with a blooper double that just landed past the diving Gore. An error by the Owls cut the lead to one. Back-to-back groundballs moved Emily Whitwell from second to third then third to home.
The fifth saw runners in scoring position for both teams but no runs. KSU had bases loaded but a dribbler to the pitcher stranded everyone. After allowing two batters get on base, Limberger was pulled for Jannakos. The Haddock, Ga. native got out of the jam.
The Black and Gold broke though in the seventh inning. After an Owl was hit by a pitch,
Hannah Harvey hit a double off the wall to set up second and third with no outs.
Ava Guzowski got on after the first baseman came off the bag. Howes and Gore recorded back-to-back infield singles to put the Owls ahead.
In the following frame, UNCW had the tying runners on. Guzowski had enough real estate and caught a pop-up in foul territory to end the game.
Notes from the Diamond
- KSU won its first game under head coach Selena Collins-Patterson. It took the Owls six games to win their first contest last year.
- Macie Howes brought home three runners in today's win. The three RBI ties a career high which she previously set against Central Arkansas on April 27, 2024.
- Rylee Limberger made her first career start. She pitched 4.1 innings, striking out three batters and only surrendering two runs.
- Addison Smith also made her KSU debut today. She was hit by a pitch twice, becoming just the fourth player in program history to do in a single game. Ana Gore last achieved the feat against Northern Kentucky (Feb. 14, 2025).
- Howes has surpassed Angie Dacsoli (2010-14) for third in program history with 25 runners caught stealing.
On Deck
The Owls wrap up the UNCW Tournament tomorrow with a rematch against George Washington at noon.
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.
