By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (4-14, 0-0 CUSA) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-10, 0-0 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Bailey Park
Game 1: Friday, March 6, 5:00 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, March 7, 2:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, March 8, 12:00 p.m.
KSU Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State softball returns to Bailey Park for its Conference USA opener against Middle Tennessee.
The Owls are fresh off an appearance at the Texas A&M Invitational where they faced the no. 15 Aggies, Saint Mary's and Louisiana.
Macie Howes and
Alora Bevily continued their hot starts and put up impressive performances in College Station. Howes batted .412 with four RBI and Bevily is 5-for-9 in her last three games.
Jenna Chase had a career outing in the circle against Saint Mary's on March 1. The sophomore tossed 6.2 innings of shutout ball.
If the Owls win Friday's contest,
Selena Collins-Patterson will join hall of famer Scott Whitlock as the only two coaches to begin their KSU head coaching careers 3-0 at home.
Not in her Howes
Macie Howes has set the tone for the Owls, batting .444 with four homers and 18 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 eight base stealers, placing herself second in program history at 31 runners caught stealing. Howes ranks top 10 in CUSA in OPS (1.270), slugging percentage (.778), batting average (.444), on-base percentage (.492), doubles (6) and home runs (4).
She's on Fire
Alora Bevily has been lighting it up for the Owls, going 13-for-24 in the last nine 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 .373 in two weeks. On the season, she ranks 5th in CUSA in defensive runs saved at +4.01.
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.
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.
