Follow KSU Softball- X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – With the Friday night CUSA opener against MTSU suspended in the fourth inning, Kennesaw State softball played a Saturday doubleheader at Bailey Park.
The afternoon started with the continuation of Friday night's game, where the Blue Raiders won 5-3 in 12 innings. Shortly after, they played the originally scheduled contest with MTSU securing an 11-5 victory.
Macie Howes reached base safely seven times in the two games, including a four-hit performance in game one.
Ana Gore drove in four runs, going 5-for-10.
Leah Jannakos pitched 11.1 innings in the extra-inning thriller.
Game 1: MTSU 5, KSU 3 (12)
After two relatively quiet innings, the Owls took the first lead of the game.
Alora Bevily reached base safely after laying down a beautiful bunt in front of home plate. She advanced to second the next at-bat before Howes knocked her home.
As the Owls got rolling, the rain and lightning started coming. An initial delay was called after the third inning at 6 p.m. With multiple pushbacks, the game was eventually suspended for the night and was set to resume at 1 p.m. the following day.
The new day reset the momentum as the Blue Raiders started Saturday with two runs in the fourth. They loaded the bases with two outs and Lucie McDonald gave MTSU the lead.
KSU clapped back in the fifth inning. Howes got on via an error and moved into scoring position. Gore blistered a ball past the second baseman to tie the game.
For the next six innings, the game would be at a standstill.
MTSU broke through in the 12
th inning. McDonald got ahold of a pitch and went yard for the 3-2 advantage. Two batters later, Macie Harter hit a round-tripper to extend the lead. One final run crossed home to make it 5-2.
Gore hit a solo shot with two outs to cut the deficit but game one ended 5-3.
Game 2: MTSU 11, KSU 5
With eight combined runs across 12 innings the previous game, both teams nearly matched that total within the first two innings.
MTSU started the game with a three-run shot before KSU had a chance to bat. The Owls quickly responded, hanging two in the bottom half of the frame.
Hannah Harvey and Howes got on to set up Gore. The sophomore smoked a ball into left field for her first career triple.
Four-straight batters in the third reached base safely to give the Black and Gold the lead.
Ava Brooke Strickland and Harvey each recorded an RBI.
The Owls scored again in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk but left three runners on.
The Blue Raiders' offense exploded in the sixth inning, scoring six. Two homers flipped the scoreboard and a pitching change was made. When the inning ended, the score was 9-5. MTSU extended the lead by two in the seventh to take the series.
Notes from the Diamond
- Macie Howes recorded four hits in game one of the doubleheader. It marks a new career high for the senior as she joins Alora Bevily and Hannah Harvey in the four-hit club this season.
- Ana Gore went 5-for-10 with four RBI across the two games. Her triple in game two was the first of her collegiate career. She's tallied multiple hits in three-straight games.
- In her return from injury, Danielle Bailey went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the second game.
- Leah Jannakos tossed a personal best 11.1 innings in game one. It's her fifth outing of the year with 7.0+ innings pitched after never doing it her previous two seasons.
- In game one, the Owls tied a program record with three double plays turned. They previously set this mark against Eastern Illinois back on Feb. 8, 2019.
On Deck
The Black and Gold will wrap up their series with Middle Tennessee tomorrow at Bailey Park. The game is scheduled for noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
