April 23, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State softball team will make its final roadtrip of the season when the Owls travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on Gardner-Webb on Thursday afternoon. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

The Owls (33-16, 11-7 A-Sun) have swept their last three A-Sun series, including a pair of wins at Campbell last Saturday afternoon. Kennesaw State used solid pitching and timely hitting to win an eight-inning pitcher's duel in game one, 2-1, before taking the nightcap, 4-2.

Freshman Jessica Cross homered for the second straight contest in the opener and pitched an effective 4.1 innings to earn her seventh win of the season in game two. Senior Brittany Matthews was lights-out in the first, recording 14 strikeouts and no walks on 118 pitches. The Brooks, Ga. product allowed just three hits and the lone run to pick up her 20th victory of the season before shutting the door on the Camels in the finale to secure her sixth save of the year.

After struggling from the plate over the last few weeks, the Black and Gold busted out against the Camels, recording 20 hits over the two games. Cross led the team with four and senior Amanda Malcom posted three, while sophomores Jenna Closner, Catherine Rodriguez, Jacki Warren and freshman Jordan Hackett each had a pair of hits in the doubleheader.

Gardner-Webb enters Thursday's twinbill will a record of 20-28 and an A-Sun mark of 5-13 after sweeps of Appalachian State and Belmont last week. Senior Jessi Williams became the first Bulldog to hit 20 career homers after achieving the mark with a longball against the Bruins last Saturday.

While the GWU bats have heated up in the last few weeks, it has been the Bulldogs pitching staff that has really taken center stage. The quartet of Cindy Boomhower, Taryn Beck, Alison Coffey and Christine Murray has allowed just two earned runs in Gardner-Webb's last five games.

The Bulldogs have three players hitting over .300, led by Melody Harrell's .313 batting average. Mandy Ward is hitting .304 and leads the squad with nine doubles and 28 RBI, while Williams (.303) paces the team with nine homers.

After Thursday's match-up, the Owls will return home for the final games of 2008, as they host a doubleheader with ETSU on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The day will begin with a ceremony around 1:30 p.m. to honor the five-member Senior Class of 2008.