By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (7-37, 3-18 CUSA) vs. Western Kentucky (33-10, 15-6 CUSA)
Location: Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Softball Complex
Game 1: Friday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, April 26, 12:00 p.m.
KSU Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State softball concluded its final midweek of the season against Georgia State on Tuesday and will head to the Bluegrass State for a weekend series versus Western Kentucky.
Savannah Frachiseur built off her great April, recording the only multi-hit game from either team with her 2-for-3 performance.
Leah Jannakos pitched 2.1 innings of one-hit ball in her relief appearance.
Scouting Western Kentucky
WKU sits in second place in Conference USA with a 15-6 mark in conference play and 33-10 overall record. At home, the Hilltoppers are practically unbeaten with a 23-1 record this season, winning all 12 of their CUSA games in Bowling Green.
The Hilltoppers pace CUSA in both batting average (.339) and ERA (2.59). Leading in the batter's box is Annie White. The junior has the highest OPS (1.328) in the conference with 21 extra-base hits and 45 RBI. Jenna Blanton has the second-highest average in CUSA at .436 and Morgan Sharpe is batting .378 with 15 doubles.
With an ERA nearly one run better than second place in CUSA, WKU has one of the best pitching staffs in the country. The ace in the circle is sophomore Erica Houge. She has a 2.01 ERA in 143.0 innings pitched, which is top 40 in DI. Rylan Smith is the Hilltoppers' number two with the lowest opponent batting average (.178) among qualified pitchers in the conference.
Series History
The Owls and Hilltoppers have played each other eight times since 2012, splitting the all-time series 4-4. In last year's series at Kennesaw, WKU won two of the three games. They have never played each other in Bowling Green.
Not in Her Howes
Macie Howes has been the engine for the Owls this season. After becoming the first player since 2021 to homer in three-straight games back on Feb. 25, she homered in three-straight contests again from March 29-April 3. She had a 19-game on-base streak, which was the longest among CUSA players and 6th-longest among all mid-major players. Defensively, she's 30th in the entire country with 11 runners caught stealing. Howes ranks in the top 10 in CUSA in batting average (.374), OPS (1.139), RBI (38) and homers (10).
If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
The outfield of
Ana Gore (LF),
Ava Brooke Strickland (CF) and
Alora Bevily (RF) has started every game this season. The trio is the only one in Conference USA to have started every game in the outfield. Gore has elevated her game in conference play, posting a triple slash of .358/.397/.642 with nine extra-base hits. Bevily has been a table setter, batting .326 in the leadoff spot with 13 multi-hit games. Strickland has set single-game highs in hits and runs.
Sav Fresh
After acclimating to collegiate softball, freshman
Savannah Frachiseur has turned it on for the Owls in the month of April. She's had three multi-hit games in the last five contests after having none in her previous 27 games. She hit her first homer against Jax State (4/12). For the month, she's batting .375.
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. Ane 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.
