The Kennesaw State softball team lost both games of their home opener against Samford University on Feb. 18.
A late push in the 7th inning for the Owls came with a leadoff double from catcher Cheyenne Sales, followed by an RBI single from senior Katie Greep. Unfortunately, it was not enough as KSU dropped the opener.
Errors and lack of offensive output spelled disaster for KSU in the second outing of the afternoon as Samford shut out the Owls 5-0.
The Bulldogs struck early in the first game, putting one run on the board in the first inning against Owls pitcher Laura Bishop, a new transfer from the University of Georgia. Despite the early trouble, Bishop stayed locked in on the mound, allowing no runs in the next three innings.
The top of the 5th inning proved to be a test for Bishop, as she gave up a walk and then back-to-back singles leading to a run scored. The next sequences yielded a passed ball and a walk, loading the bases with only one out.
The potential threat was squashed by a ball hit to third baseman Taylor Cates, whose throw home took the lead runner out.
2021 ASUN Freshman of the Year Melanie Bennett pitched well in the second game and the Owls posed threats on the offensive side, but no runs crossed the board.
Samford only composed three hits in the 4th inning, but there was a collapse of the defense behind Bennett that resulted in runs for the opposition. Four errors by KSU scored three runs for Samford, putting them up by three. Another error in the 5th inning crossed another runner, effectively sealing the game.
The Owls are looking to bounce back following the back-to-back losses as they compete in the Interstate 75 Challenge starting Feb. 25 against the trio of East Tennessee State, Georgia State and Penn State.
