Daphne Bonilla and Lynn Spain contributed to this story.
The Kennesaw State softball team began their season this past weekend, playing five games beginning on Friday, Feb. 8, resulting in one win and four losses.
Opening day was up and down for the Owls, as they started out with an 11-5 loss to Eastern Illinois before defeating Morehead State 6-5.
The first weekend of the season brings new hope that reigned true when the Owls played against two tough teams with head coach Tripp MacKay making his KSU debut.
On their home field for the weekend, the Owls could not find a way to get past the Panthers. KSU trailed 7-0 after the top of the third inning but briefly fought back in the bottom of the frame.
Senior shortstop Jessie Mullen hit a three-run home run to right field after senior Maddie Roth reached base on a single and Jade Lee was hit by a pitch.
During the next inning, the Panthers expanded their lead, scoring four more runs to put the game out of reach.
KSU scored two more runs through an error by Eastern Illinois and a solo home run by Roth.
Later that night, the Owls were back on the field against Morehead State, earning a different outcome after making adjustments following the opening loss.
After the Eagles went ahead 3-0 in the first inning, the Owls got on the board by way of Roth, who batted in a run with a single before third baseman Sarah Womack hit a run that resulted in a groundout.
The game remained close for most of the game as the Owls tied the score through another hit by Roth. Both teams scored two more runs each as the game remained deadlocked 5-5 as they went into the sixth inning.
In the sixth inning, freshman Katie Greep made a timely hit to center field, scoring in fellow freshman Taylor Cates and sealing the first win of the season for KSU.
The Owls continued to play on Saturday evening, starting with a 7-2 loss to the University of Ohio before falling 8-0 in a rematch against Eastern Illinois.
Senior catcher Kira Czyrklis drove in both runs of the first game for KSU, as they kept the score until the final inning when the Bobcats scored three runs to finish the game.
The Owls met up with Eastern Illinois again on Saturday, falling 8-0 as the Owls could only come up with four hits.
Several walks were given up by the Owls in high numbers to the Panthers, and numerous errors were made by the defense. Several of those errors led to unearned runs for the Panthers.
On Sunday, KSU lost 15-4 to Chattanooga as they closed out their opening series.
After a scoreless first inning from both teams, the Mocs opened up the score by hitting two home runs in the top of the second to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Owls were not behind for long, as sophomore Lexi Solarzano hit a double and scored. In the bottom of the third, the Owls tied the score on a sacrifice fly by Czyrklis who scored in the fifth inning on an error to give KSU a 3-2 lead.
The lead was held until the final inning when Chattanooga retaliated, scoring 13 runs to thwart a chance for the Owls to win.
Junior Hannah Thomason led the way with two runs and reached base in three of her four plate appearances. Mullen collected two hits and a pair of RBI, while Czyrklis added two RBI.
Next, the Owls will travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to play five games over the weekend starting on Friday, Feb. 15.
