By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (5-20, 1-5 CUSA) vs. Sam Houston (19-13, 4-2 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Bailey Park
Game 1: Friday, March 20, 5:00 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, March 21, 2:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, March 22, 10:00 a.m.
KSU Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – After picking up its first Conference USA win of the
Selena Collins-Patterson era, Kennesaw State softball returns to Bailey Park to start a seven-game homestand. The Owls open up this stretch with a weekend series against Sam Houston.
Last weekend's series against Missouri State was highlighted by the Owls' 11-5 victory on Saturday. The Owls trailed entering the fifth but took a 4-3 lead heading into the final frame.
Jojo Johnson's grand slam capped off a seven-run seventh inning to secure the win. Four different Owls recorded two-plus hits.
Collins-Patterson will be facing the squad that gave her her first opportunity as a collegiate coach. She was an assistant coach for the Bearkats during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, helping Sam Houston reached the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals.
Scouting the Bearkats
Sam Houston is winners of its last three, taking down NM State twice this past weekend and UTSA on Wednesday. In CUSA play, the Bearkats are tied for second place with a 4-2 conference record. They've won both of their opening series against UTEP and the Aggies.
The offense is led by Lamar transfer Veronica Harrison. The junior leads Conference USA and is top 20 in the entire country in homers at 11. Her 28 RBI is second in the conference, only behind WKU's Annie White. Bella Perez is one RBI behind Harrison on the season with 27. Freshman Sophia Lundstrom's .404 batting average tops the Kats.
All of SHSU's three regular starting pitchers sport an ERA under 4.00. Tiffy Sanchez is the ace of the group, ranking top five in CUSA in strikeouts (58) and opponent batting average (.189) while being sixth in ERA at 2.69. Junior Amy Abke has also induced a lot of weak contact as opposing batters are hitting .210.
Series History
Sam Houston is 4-2 all-time against the Owls with the Bearkats sweeping KSU in conference play last season. Macie Howes recorded a hit in all three games against SHSU. This weekend will be the first time the Bearkats travel to Bailey Park.
Not in Her Howes
Macie Howes has been the engine for the Owls, leading KSU in basically every offensive category. She became the first player since 2021 to homer in three-straight games. Howes had a four-hit game in the CUSA opener against MTSU (3/6). Defensively, she's seventh in the entire country with nine runners caught stealing. Howes ranks top 10 in CUSA in batting average (.444), OBP (.495), OPS (1.248), hits (36) and RBI (26).
Gore Sure
After a stellar freshman season in 2025, Ana Gore has gotten hot entering conference play, currently sporting an eight-game hitting streak. During that stretch, she's 14-for-28 (.450 average). She recorded her first career triple against MTSU (3/7). In conference play, she's sixth with a .607 OBP and seventh with a 1.390 OPS.
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). 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. 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 Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
