By: by Mark Toma
Game 1 Box |
Game 2 Box
KENNESAW, Ga. – Abbey Meixel pitched a complete game, five-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader as Kennesaw State split a pair of games with Georgia Southern at Bailey Park. The Owls dropped the first game, 8-6, before taking the nightcap by a 2-1 score.
Meixel (9-8) pitched well in the second game as she limited the Eagles to just five singles. The freshman right-hander struck out seven batters as she won her fourth consecutive decision. The Owls (24-20) got on the board quickly as they scored a run in the bottom of the first inning when Ashlee Burkett, who had three hits on the day, singled with one out and scored on a double to right field by Sharon Swanson.
The Eagles (22-22) tied the game in the top of the third inning when Megen Smith poked a two-out single down the right field line scoring Kayla Brooks, who led off the inning with a single through the right side. Kennesaw State answered in their half of the third inning when Jessica Cross ripped a two-out double to right-center field scoring Burkett, for what would be the game-winning run.
Meixel shut down the Eagles the rest of the way, stranding four GSU runners over the final four innings. Meixel pitched the Owls out of crucial situation in the top of the sixth inning when Georgia Southern put together back-to-back singles from Jenny Side and Hannah Ennis.
Meixel was able to get Andrea Tarashuk to poke a shallow pop fly to center field which Jensen Hackett made a tremendous running catch on for the second out. She then got Tabby Doublerly to line out to Kelsey Kulk in left field for the final out of the inning.
In the first game, Georgia Southern scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning, three of which were unearned, to come from behind and snap the Owls three game winning streak. The Eagles would take advantage of six unearned runs as the Owls committed three errors in the game.
The two hour and 10 minute affair was highlighted by six lead changes and a tie as the Black and Gold led twice and had the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh inning, but could not get to Eagles reliever Megen Smith.
The Owls loaded the bases on an error, a walk and a slow grounder to first baseman Doublerly, who fielded the ball cleanly, but instead of taking the out at first base, threw across the diamond to third base and missed Cross, who slide safely before the tag.
Smith entered the game and was greeted by a sharp single to left field by Brittany Moore. However, Smith settled down and retired Hannah Graham on strikes for the first out. She then induced Jensen Hackett to pop up to second base and ended the game by getting Klair Wells to ground out to second as she earned her first save of the season.
Kennesaw State took a 5-4 lead into the top of the seventh inning and quickly got an out as Cross got Alexa Lewis to ground out to second base. Nina Iduate, who entered the game hitting over .400 before going 1-for-7 on the day, reached on an infield single. Kelly Burnett then hit a ground ball that was misplayed by Karlie Gillam at third base to put runners on first and second.
A walk to Smith loaded the bases and Side (4-for-4) followed with a two-run single to right field giving the Eagles a 6-5 lead. Georgia Southern would tack on two more runs on an Ennis two-run single through the left side.
Cross (13-8) pitched a complete game, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Wells was the only KSU player with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 as eight different Kennesaw State players had hits in the game.
Reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week Burkett had hits in both games to extend her hitting streak to seven games. The freshman has already hit in a team-high 10 consecutive games earlier in the season. Jenna Closner hit her eighth home run of the year and Kelsey Kulk also homered as the Owls increased their home run total to 44 on the year.
Kennesaw State will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they battle the Stetson Hatters in a key Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader from DeLand, Fla.
