By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (4-18, 0-3 CUSA) vs. Missouri State (11-12, 0-3 CUSA)
Location: Springfield, Mo. | Killian Stadium
Game 1: Friday, March 13, 7:00 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, March 14, 4:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, March 15, 1:00 p.m.
KSU Game Notes |
MoState Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State softball will look to pick up its first Conference USA win of the season as it heads to The Show-Me State for a three-game series against Missouri State.
The Black and Gold's comeback efforts against Georgia State came up just short on Tuesday, falling 9-5, in Atlanta.
Macie Howes homered for a second-straight contest, and six different Owls recorded a hit.
In its Conference USA opener, KSU fell to MTSU at Bailey Park. The series was highlighted by a 12-inning thriller in game one that spanned two days.
Missouri State is coming off a home loss to No. 7 Arkansas where they Bears set an attendance record of 677 at Killian Stadium.
Scouting Missouri State
In its first year in Conference USA, Missouri State is 11-12, most notably picking up a win against No. 25 Ole Miss back on Feb. 22. In its first CUSA series, the Bears got swept by the top team in the conference, WKU. MoState's current RPI is 81.
Sophomore infielder Riley Baber slots as one of the best hitters in the conference. Her nine doubles are third among all CUSA hitters and she's fifth in OPS (1.237). Fellow sophomore Lauren Rowland is tied for fifth in the conference in walks (15).
Freshman Emily Koranda has become the ace of this MoState staff. Her 69.0 innings far exceeded any other Bear and is 4th in CUSA. Run prevention is her game as she sports the second-best CUSA ERA at 2.23.
Series History
These teams have squared off just twice with both teams taking a game each. The Bears won the last bout, 5-4, back on March 4, 2022, at the Razorback Rumble hosted by Arkansas. The Owls won the first affair, 12-8, in the 2013 season opener at Bailey Park.
Not in Her Howes
Macie Howes has been the engine for the Owls, leading KSU in basically every offensive category. After becoming the first player since 2021 to homer in three-straight games, she's currently riding another two-game home run streak. The Louisville native had a four-hit game in the CUSA opener against MTSU (3/6). Defensively, she's fifth in the entire country with nine runners caught stealing. Howes ranks top five in CUSA in batting average (.471), OBP (.513), OPS (1.337), hits (32) and RBI (24).
Gore Sure
After a stellar freshman season in 2025,
Ana Gore has gotten hot entering conference play, currently sporting five-game hitting streak. During that stretch, she's 9-for-20 (.450 average) with four RBI. She recorded her first career triple against MTSU (3/7). Gore has increased her batting average from .231 to .292.
She's on Fire
Alora Bevily has been lighting it up for the Owls, batting .400 in the last 13 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. She's reached base safely in the last seven games and her season batting average is up to .354.
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). Two complete games against Miami (2/17) and Chattanooga (2/25) gave the Black and Gold their first two home wins. In the CUSA opener against MTSU (3/6), the Haddock, Ga. native pitched 11.1 innings in an extra-innings thriller. Jannakos is the first Owl to win her first four decisions since Lindsey Kyte in 2020.
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.
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.
