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KENNESAW, Ga. – Sophomore
Ana Gore homered in back-to-back at-bats to help Kennesaw State softball defeat Sam Houston, 7-5, for its first win over the Bearkats as a CUSA foe.
Macie Howes added two more RBI to give her 29 on the season and
Alora Bevily scored two runs.
After pitching in last night's contest,
Leah Jannakos picked up the win today, throwing 5.2 innings in relief.
How It Happened
The Black and Gold put the throttle on in the first inning, scoring three runs. Bevily reached base on an error in her first at-bat and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt. Howes then ripped a single up the middle to score her. Gore went yard for the first of two times today for the 3-0 lead.
Sam Houston tied the game half an inning later. Two hit-by-pitches and a walk loaded the bases. Hits from Sophia Lundstrom and Bella Perez knotted it at three. With the bases still loaded, Jannakos came out of the bullpen and retired the final batter of the inning.
Gore retook the lead for KSU in the bottom of the third. Howes led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and Gore blasted it into right field for the lead. The Owls tacked on two insurance runs the following inning. After loading the bases, Howes scored Bevily off a sacrifice fly.
Jojo Johnson shot it past the third baseman two batters later to extend the lead to four.
The Bearkats scored two runs in the sixth but KSU held onto the lead for the win.
Notes from the Diamond
- Ana Gore became just the 12th player in program history to homer twice in the same game. She is also the first person to hit back-to-back homers since she did it herself at Georgia State last year (Feb. 18, 2025).
- With two base knocks today, Macie Howes is already up to 29 RBI through 26 games. It's the most RBI by an Owl in a single season since Taylor Cates had 32 in the 2023 season.
- After winning four decisions across her first two years, Leah Jannakos secured her fifth win this season.
- Jojo Johnson is currently on a six-game hitting streak. During that stretch she's batting .412 (7-for-17) with seven RBI.
- Despite scoring twice, Alora Bevily snapped her 11-game on-base streak. It was the longest stretch by any Owl this season.
- Ava Guzowski recorded her first career triple in the second inning.
On Deck
The Owls will look to secure their first CUSA series victory against Sam Houston tomorrow. The game is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
