by Mike Foster, Sports Editor
Rain delays are known to change momentum. After its home contest against Mercer, KSU’s softball team might argue the same can be said for lighting malfunctions.
Following a momentary delay between frames in the fifth inning due to technical difficulties with the Bailey Park lights, the Owls caught one last offensive spark to score three runs and best their in-state rival, 5-4, and re-even their Atlantic Sun Conference record Wednesday night.
KSU (20-21, 9-9 A-Sun) trailed 4-2 at the conclusion of the top of the fifth after Kaylynn Sloat notched her second RBI of the game to score Riley Carter, who brought home Natalie Shiver moments earlier with a double.
While facility errors stopped the action, it was two fielding errors by the Bears that began the comeback for KSU. Sara Sikes reached on a single to begin the inning and advanced to second as Natalie Rhodes reached on an error. Taylor Denton then reached on a bunt and advanced to second on another error that scored Sikes. Angie Dascoli tied the contest with a sacrifice fly and then Kara Chambers gave the Owls the lead with a single to score Denton from the opposite end of the diamond.
Starting pitcher Amanda Henderson lasted the entire contest, and was in a crunch in the seventh with two outs and runners on second and third, but managed to force a groundout to end the game. Henderson (16-8) had eight strikeouts against ten hits and four walks.
The upset victory over the Bears (29-14, 11-5 A-Sun) came just a week after the Owls were swept in a double-header in Macon.
KSU led 2-1 after two innings after Carly Van Auken earned an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Senior Angie Dascoli brought home a run earlier in the frame when she scored Denton on a single up the middle. Dascoli led the Owls at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs in three appearances. Chambers was 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Sikes and Denton each went 2-for-4.
KSU will look to make another move in the A-Sun standings when it hosts a double-header against second place Stetson (28-6, 12-2) Saturday at 1 p.m. As of Wednesday night, the Owls are fifth in the conference standings behind the Bears, Hatters, and strong resumes from Lipscomb (31-9, 11-6) and No. 24 ranked USC Upstate (36-5, 15-2).
The Sentinel could not have a writer at Wednesday’s game. We apologize for the absence of interviews.
