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KENNESAW, Ga. – Sophomore second baseman Lauren Bennett capped a spirited seventh-inning rally with a two-out run scoring single to right field to drive home the winning run as the Kennesaw State softball came back from a two-run deficit to stun No. 5 Kentucky, 9-8, in the final game of the 2015 Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament Saturday at Bailey Park.
 
After the Wildcats (6-2) scored four times in the top half of the seventh, the Owls (5-2) answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to pull out one of the biggest wins in program history since moving to the Division I level in 2006 as Kentucky represented the highest ranked opponent Kennesaw State has defeated since moving up from Division II.
 
"This team really believes in each other and they're really in it for each other," interim head coach Tory Acheson said. "It's the most tight-knit, close team that I've ever been around and this my 34th year of coaching. I think there are a lot of reasons why they are tight-knit and believe in each other so much."
 
Junior first baseman Megan Veringa started the winning rally with a seeing-eye base hit up the middle and one out later junior designated player Hillary Kartman followed with a single to center to set the stage for the biggest play of the game.
 
Freshman left fielder Noelle Winkles followed with a drive down the right field line that Kentucky right fielder Kara Howard misplayed, allowing the ball to get by her for an error and enabling both Veringa and Kartman to score and tie the game at 8-8.
 
Bennett then completed the comeback with a bullet into right field that scored Dennis with the decisive run and enabling the Owls to complete the day 2-0 after earlier defeating Morehead State, 5-1.
 
"I'm sure there was a little nagging doubt when we didn't put them away. I think in every season there are situations like this where you face true adversity and you have an opportunity to learn from it and rise above it," Acheson said. "Obviously, that last inning was the golden opportunity. It starts with the little things. It starts with Megan getting on with that little squibber up the middle that had eyes for a base hit.
 
"That opened the door, we kind of got a little momentum going and then obviously a couple big plays," Acheson added. "Lauren Bennett was just on fire tonight. She was a one-person wrecking crew out there. It was just very exciting and this (win), outside of the two Division II titles that Scott (Whitlock) won, it has to be one of the biggest games in Kennesaw State history, so I am very proud to be part of it. To see these kids beat a nationally-ranked Top 10 team on our home field was a pretty special thing."    
 
After Kentucky rallied from a 4-0 deficit and tie the score with two runs in the sixth, Kennesaw State re-gained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-4 lead. Senior Natalie Rhodes had a two-out RBI triple and sophomore Taylor Denton followed with a run scoring single to put the Owls back on top.
 
However, Kentucky used the long ball to score four runs in the top of the seventh on a pair of two-run homers by Ansley Smith and Nikki Sagermann.
 
The win was a team effort for the Owls as seven different players combined for 14 hits, with Veringa, Kartman and Bennett, leading the way with three hits apiece and combining to go 9-for-12 with four runs scored and four RBI.
 
Kennesaw State took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning a on run-producing single by sophomore Courtney Sutter and two-run double by Kartman. Bennett increased the Owls' lead to 4-0 with solo home run to left-center field in the fourth.
 
Kennesaw State 5, Morehead State 1
 
 Junior shortstop Kara Chambers hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs, Veringa hit a solo shot to power the Owls to a 5-1 victory over Morehead State earlier Saturday.
 
That offense proved more than enough for junior Morgan Sikes (1-1), who allowed two hits and struck out eight in six innings of relief for the Owls (4-2). After entering the game to begin the second inning, Sikes retired the first 10 batters she faced, and 17 of 18, before allowing a pair of batters to reach base in the seventh inning.
 
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, Kennesaw State knotted the score 1-1 in the bottom of the frame on a two-out home run to left-center field by Chambers. One inning later, Veringa hit a leadoff homer to left-center.
 
Chambers struck again with two outs in the fourth as she clubbed a two-run shot over the centerfield wall in the third inning. Rhodes drove in the Owls' final run with an infield ground out in the fourth.

The loss dropped Morehead State to 2-4 on the season.
 
Kennesaw State returns to action on Friday (Feb. 20) when it faces host East Carolina in the Pirate Invitational in Greenville, N.C. beginning at 3 p.m. (ET). The Owls will play five games in the three-day tournament.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNationand @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.