By: Ryan Henry
Kennesaw State (7-29, 3-12 CUSA) vs. Jax State (29-12, 13-2 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Bailey Park
Game 1: Friday, April 10, 5:00 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 11, 2:00 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, April 12, 12:00 p.m.
KSU Game Notes |
Jax State Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – After a four-game road trip that most recently saw Kennesaw State softball play No. 10 Tennessee, the Owls return to Bailey Park for a weekend series against CUSA leader Jax State.
KSU had an impressive offensive showing versus the Volunteers, hanging five runs against a team that ranked first in ERA in the entire country. Only three ranked SEC teams managed to score five-plus runs in a game against Tennessee with No. 17 LSU being the one other team to get four in a single inning.
Hannah Harvey sparked the offensive output on Wednesday, scoring the first run of the afternoon and beginning the two-out rally in the fifth.
Ana Gore has continued her hot stretch, extending her hitting streak to five and driving two in at Rocky Top.
Sunday's game is Youth Day at Bailey Park. All youth groups are welcome to join. There will be an autograph session with the players after the game.
Scouting Jax State
Jax State enters this weekend's series as the best team in Conference USA, boasting a 29-12 overall record and 13-2 mark in conference play. The Gamecocks more recently won their series against NM State.
The offense leads the way for Jax State as it has three batters with over 40 hits this season. Morgan Nowakowski leads CUSA and is third in the country with 16 doubles. Marietta native Kailey Martin paces the team with five homers and 32 RBI. The Gamecocks lead CUSA in runs scored (245), doubles (76) and RBI (218). Their 76 doubles are 10th in DI.
The rotation is highlighted by freshman Makenna Moore. She's tossed 97.2 innings to the tune of a 2.58 ERA and .198 opponent batting average. She has won two CUSA Pitcher of the Week and Freshman of the Week awards.
Series History
The Owls and Gamecocks have played each other 27 times since 1991 with Jax State leading the all-time series 16-11. Last year these teams faced in Alabama where Jax State took the series. They haven't played at Bailey Park since 2022 where the Owls won the series 2-1.
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 top 15 in the entire country with 11 runners caught stealing. Howes ranks in the top five in CUSA in batting average (.430), OBP (.500), OPS (1.304) and RBI (38) while being ninth in hits (46).
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 .440/.482/.760 with eight extra-base hits. Bevily has been a table setter, batting .327 in the leadoff spot with 11 multi-hit games. Strickland has set single-game highs in hits and runs while boasting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Gore Sure
After a stellar freshman season in 2025,
Ana Gore has found her groove in conference play. In the month of March, she's batted .392 (20-for-51) with 11 RBI. She homered in back-to-back plate appearances in the Owls' win over Sam Houston on March 21. She followed that performance with a 3-for-3 day with two doubles and two RBI. In CUSA games, she fifth in batting average (.440) and slugging percentage (.760).
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.
